Natasha Wright Named 2025 McKnight Land-Grant Professor

We are delighted to share that Assistant Professor Natasha Wright has been awarded the 2025 McKnight Land-Grant Professorship, a prestigious University of Minnesota award recognizing exceptional early-career faculty.

Professor Wright joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2019 and leads the Wright Research Group, which focuses on developing sustainable and accessible technologies for clean water and energy. Her interdisciplinary work spans thermodynamics, materials science, and global development. Notably, her research includes solar water purification systems and off-grid desalination technologies, with field implementation efforts in India and the Navajo Nation.

Her approach blends cutting-edge technical innovation with an emphasis on equity, accessibility, and real-world impact—making her work a standout example of engineering for the public good.

Reflecting on this recognition, Professor Wright shared:

I am grateful and honored for this recognition. The award is not only a testament to the hard work of my entire team, but also that of the global development researchers who have paved my path. For many decades, global development was perceived as the responsibility of non-profits and primarily involved students through service-learning opportunities alone. For the McKnight program to acknowledge not only the impact but also the scientific merit of this work is rewarding.

The McKnight Land-Grant Professorship includes two years of support to advance her research and teaching. This award recognizes not only her scholarly excellence but also her promise to become a future leader in her field.