UC engineer named highly cited researcher for fourth consecutive year
Dion Dionysiou develops sensors and strategies to identify and treat water pollutants
Dionysios (Dion) Dionysiou, a University of Cincinnati professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, was named a 2021 Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate for the fourth consecutive year for his work addressing water pollution, conservation and treatment.
Clarivate, a scientific and innovation analytics company, annually releases the list of researchers who have demonstrated significant and broad influence as reflected in the publication of multiple papers frequently cited by their peers during the last decade. These papers rank in the top 1% by citations for a field and publication year in the Web of Science citation index.
Dionysiou was listed in the general engineering category as well as environment/ecology. He has more than 600 publications which have been cited a total of 60,000 times in other papers. He has several publications cited more than 1,000 times and many others cited more than 100 times.
Dionysiou conducted an extensive project to create a sensor that detect toxins in drinking water sources before the water enters treatment plants. He recently received funding from the National Science Foundation for research to further address the toxic chemicals released by harmful algal blooms in bodies of water. This research will evaluate and optimize a new treatment process that uses UV light with chlorine to break down cyanotoxins in water. Current treatments do not fully remove cyanotoxins.
In addition, he recently has been funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to develop strategies for the removal of cyanobacteria cells from water reservoirs and phosphorous from source waters. In some other recent projects, he has developed strategies to break down difficult to degrade chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various water sources, as well as to remove emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water supply sources.
Photos/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand
Related Stories
UC, NKU renew longstanding partnership supporting Army ROTC cadets
August 26, 2026
The University of Cincinnati Army ROTC and Northern Kentucky University (NKU) have renewed a longstanding partnership that supports students preparing to become Army officers and leaders in their communities. The universities formalized the renewed agreement during a signing event Aug. 11 at NKU.
One in four NFL players had CTE at death
August 25, 2026
Forbes cites research on concussions and football helmets by the University of Cincinnati in a report that found one in four NFL players had brain damage at death.
A new year, a shared purpose: President Pinto welcomes Bearcats to UC’s 208th fall
August 24, 2026
President Neville G. Pinto welcomes students, faculty and staff back to UC's 208th academic year.