Daniel McCurry is a first-rate researcher and teacher in the field of environmental engineering, with a focus on environmental chemistry and is currently Associate Professor at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, USA. The ETH Board has yesterday appointed him Associate Professor of Water and Wastewater Chemistry at EPFL's School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC). He succeeds Urs von Gunten, who retired this spring. As with Urs von Gunten, the professorship is a joint position between EPFL and the aquatic research institute Eawag and will enhance the collaboration between the two institutions.

McCurry's main research interest is the treatment of water resources, especially through oxidative processes. As an acknowledged expert in the field of disinfection byproducts and the reuse of drinking water, he brings valuable specialist knowledge from California to Europe. His background will strengthen the ties with the Swiss environmental authorities and the Swiss water industries.

McCurry knows Eawag well, as he has been a sabbatical guest in the Water Resources & Drinking Water department for nearly a year now. When he takes up his position in June 2026, he will set up a new group in the field of water and wastewater chemistry which will also be active at Eawag.

At the same time, a new research group in the field of “Water Chemistry and Treatment” will be created in the Water Resources & Drinking Water department at Eawag in summer 2026, which will collaborate closely with McCurry's group. A focus of this new group will lie on water treatment using oxidative methods. The research group will thus continue Urs von Gunten's research at Eawag and also maintain a close exchange with practitioners.