Dr. Rao Surampalli has made quite an international name for himself in his engineering career through providing technical assistance to more than 25 countries on six continents.

Surampalli has been named a member of the National Academy of Engineers, the most prestigious engineering honor worldwide.

He is one of more than 2,000 regular members of the NAE and honored for his distinguished career in advancing environmental sustainability by way of policy contributions and technological development.

“It feels very good when your peers recognize your hard work, talent and environmental contributions to social good and global sustainability,” Surampalli said. “I have received many national awards in the past, but this is the ultimate recognition as an engineer. I enjoy working in environmental engineering and will continue to contribute to social good and global sustainability.

“I had tremendous passion for environmental engineering and contributed significantly to environmental protection, but getting elected to NAE is the highest honor one can expect, or an engineer can dream of.”

Surampalli graduated from Oklahoma State University with a master’s in environmental engineering in 1978 and later earned his Ph.D. in 1985 from Iowa State University.

He worked for the Environmental Protection Agency, where he developed innovative, sustainable technology for designing and constructing water and wastewater facilities before retiring as its engineering director.

He is the current CEO and chief technology officer for the Global Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability.

Other honors and accolades include:

• Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts

• Member of the U.S. National Academy of Construction

• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

• Distinguished Fellow of the International Water Association

• Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers

• Distinguished Alumni of Oklahoma State University

• Member of the 2015 CEAT Hall of Fame class

• Recipient of the 2024 CEAT Lohmann Medal

To current CEAT students, Surampalli offers the advice of having a passion for what you want to become, finding a role model to follow and never giving up.

“Along with your professional career, find peace within you, and inner peace will help you overcome many critical situations and problems in your life,” Surampalli said.