Dr El Mountassir is a Reader in Geotechnical Engineering and Director for Research in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Grainne's research focuses on developing novel technologies harnessing biological and biochemical processes that can alter the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of soils and rocks. Grainne is currently a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, leading a team of researchers investigating the potential of using fungi and their hyphal networks in ground engineering applications. Over the last 15 years Grainne and the team at Strathclyde have been developing microbially induced calcite precipitation as a technique for rock fracture grouting, soil stabilisation, well sealing and concrete repair. 

I teach CL217 Soil mechanics and the Graduate Apprenticship module EO206 (Soils & Water 2), both to second year students.

My research is largely experimental and focuses on understanding the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of soils and rocks. I am particularly interested in the potential use of biological processes in geotechnical engineering. I am currently developing novel grouting technologies including microbially induced calcite precipitation as a technique for sealing fine aperture fractures and silica sol as a low viscosity grout. I am also investigating the possible deployment of fungi within ground engineering applications.