Environmental Engineer & Environmental Biotechnology Researcher

Skanda Vishnu SUndar is an environmental engineer based in the Phoenix, Arizona with experience in environmental biotechnology, microbial chain elongation, and contaminated-site assessment. Comfortable working across bench-scale experiments, analytical chemistry, and applied engineering projects.

Currently working as an Environmental Engineer at Arcadis U.S., Inc., with a research background at Arizona State University focused on microbially mediated rubber recycling, biofuel production, and characterization of petroleum-impacted soils.

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Overview

I work at the intersection of environmental engineering and environmental biotechnology, focusing on microbially driven processes, contaminated sites, and sustainable materials.

Professional Experience Highlights

Environmental Engineer · Arcadis U.S., Inc.

Greater Phoenix Area · Full-time · Current

Supporting environmental engineering and remediation projects for public- and private-sector clients, with an emphasis on sustainability, data-driven analysis, and regulatory compliance.

  • Site assessment, sampling, and environmental monitoring for soil, groundwater, and related media.
  • Data analysis and reporting for contaminated sites, including TPH and hydrocarbon characterization.
  • Preparation of technical documentation and client-facing reports aligned with regulatory requirements.
  • Application of environmental biotechnology background to support sustainable project decisions.

Research Assistant · Arizona State University

School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment · Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology

Graduate research in environmental biotechnology and sustainable materials, including chain-elongation bioprocesses, scrap tire rubber valorization, and hydrocarbon-contaminated soils.

  • Operated anaerobic bioreactors and serum-bottle systems to study ethanol and acetate chain elongation.
  • Used GC and HPLC to quantify hydrocarbons, VFAs, and fermentation products.
  • Contributed to microbially mediated rubber recycling and scrap tire valorization projects.

Skills & Technical Competencies

Environmental Engineering

  • Contaminated soils and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) characterization.
  • Wastewater and sewage treatment processes (STP exposure).
  • Sustainable infrastructure and materials reuse (scrap tire rubber, rubberized pavements).

Environmental Biotechnology

  • Microbial chain elongation for butyrate, caproate, and butanol.
  • Microbially mediated rubber recycling and desulfurization of scrap tire rubber.
  • Anaerobic mixed cultures and bioreactor operation.

Analytical Methods

  • Gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (HPLC).
  • Sample extraction and fractionation of TPH into aromatic and aliphatic components.
  • Bench-scale microcosm and bioreactor studies.

Data & Communication

  • Data analysis, plotting, and reporting (Excel and related tools).
  • Technical writing for research manuscripts and industry reports.
  • Cross-disciplinary communication among engineering and biotechnology teams.