About
Fred Boadu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering, where he also serves as the Director of Master's Studies. His research lies at the intersection of geophysics, environmental engineering, and computational mechanics, focusing on non-invasive methods to characterize porous media such as soils, fractured rocks, and biological tissues.
His research interests center on understanding how engineering, environmental, and petrophysical properties of porous media influence measurable geophysical responses. He develops methodologies to infer these properties from geophysical data using advanced techniques including fractal analysis and artificial neural networks. His work spans laboratory experiments, field studies, and numerical modeling, with applications in environmental health, infrastructure development, and subsurface resource management.
Dr. Boadu’s recent publications reveal a strong trend toward integrating machine learning and fractal models with geophysical measurements to predict soil and rock properties. His research increasingly emphasizes sustainable materials, tropical geotechnics, and environmental contamination—particularly nitrate pollution in Ghanaian groundwater. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges civil engineering, environmental science, and data-driven modeling.
- Junior Faculty Enhancement Award - Applied Science Category, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 1997
Dr. Boadu has advised multiple Master of Engineering students through internship and project courses such as MENG 550–553 and CEE 780. While specific grant details are not listed, his sustained research output and industry collaborations with oil companies (Chevron, Amoco, Mobil) and national entities like Ghana National Petroleum Corporation suggest a history of funded projects. He has also contributed to education and public awareness campaigns on health hazards from groundwater contamination in Ghana.
His research group, accessible via http://applied-geophysics.cee.duke.edu, focuses on applied geophysics, utilizing computational tools and experimental data to solve real-world engineering and environmental problems.
