Jean E. Bogner

Dr. Jean E. Bogner is a Research Professor Emerita in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Her research focuses on landfill methane (CH4) emissions, biodegradation processes in soils, and waste management systems. She has led international collaborations to develop and validate the CALMIM model, a process-based tool for predicting methane emissions from engineered landfills globally. Her work integrates field measurements, laboratory studies, and climate modeling to address climate change mitigation strategies in waste management.

Education: B.A. Geology (Augustana College, 1969), M.S. Geology (University of Illinois at Chicago, 1973), Ph.D. Geology (Northern Illinois University, 1996).

Research interests include landfill gas dynamics, soil microbiology, climate modeling, and sustainable waste management practices. She has contributed to landmark studies on methane oxidation in landfill cover soils, the impact of operational practices on emissions, and global GHG mitigation strategies. Her collaborative projects span academia, government agencies, and industry across the U.S., Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia.

Key achievements include co-authoring the IPCC’s 2007 Nobel Peace Prize-winning 4th Assessment Report, leading the CALMIM model development, and advancing methodologies for quantifying methane emissions. Her work has informed policy and practice in reducing anthropogenic GHG contributions from waste systems.

Awards include the Nobel Peace Prize (2007), the IWWG Lifetime Award (2013), and multiple recognitions for contributions to landfill gas science and engineering.