Sean McBeath is an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and research focus is on Translational Technology.
IALS: Hi Sean, thank you for speaking with us today. We have a few questions for you so everyone on campus can get to know you better. How long have you been at UMass Amherst?
SM: I started at UMass as an assistant Professor in January 2023.
IALS: Where did you grow up?
SM: I grew up in a smaller town in Canada called Maple Ridge, which is near Vancouver.
IALS: Does the love of science run in your family?
SM: Yes, my family has a strong appreciation for science and engineering - and education in general. I’m proud that my brother and I were the first in my family to pursue post‑secondary education. My parents worked hard to prioritize and support my studies, opening an opportunity for me that they themselves didn’t have when they were young. Their encouragement and sacrifices made it possible for me to follow my passion for science, and that responsibility motivates me to make the most of the chance they created.
IALS: How long have you been teaching?
SM: I’ve been teaching for three years since joining UMass. In addition, I taught two semesters as a sessional lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia, where I earned my bachelor’s degree.
IALS: What is more stressful, grant proposals, research, or teaching?
SM: I find grant writing the most stressful. It always feels very high‑stakes and forces me to compress ambitious ideas into a concise, convincing plan that reviewers must see as realistic and achievable. The tight page limits, deadlines, and the fact that funding decisions directly affect my research and team add a lot of pressure.
IALS: Assuming your research is widely successful, how will it impact society?
SM: My research is focused on drinking water treatment for decentralized applications. Currently, drinking water problems dispropotionately persist in small, remote and disadvantaged communities, even here in the United States. My work focuses on developing technological solutions for these applications. If successful, this could have a huge impact worldwide for increasing access to safe potable water, thereby greatly improving public health.
IALS: Who do you admire and why?
SM: I admire educators, especially early childhood, primary, and secondary school teachers, because their work is foundational and often under‑appreciated. Teaching is frequently thankless, yet teachers shape students’ futures, demonstrate patience and adapt to diverse needs with limited resources every day. My wife taught for over 10 years in three different countries, and seeing her dedication and that of her colleagues wherever we lived deepened my respect for the profession and its lasting impact.
IALS: What are your interests when you are not a scientist?
SM: Outside of science I’m an avid cyclist and runner. I love being in, on, or near water; I was a competitive canoer at the national level for many years and still surf whenever I get the chance!
IALS: Thank you so much Sean, and congratulations!
Learn more about Prof. McBeath's research.