About
R. Guy Riefler serves as Chair and Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Ohio University's Russ College of Engineering and Technology. His office is located in Stocker Center 218, and he can be reached at riefler@ohio.edu or 740.593.1471.
Dr. Riefler joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in September 2000 after completing his advanced degrees at the University of Connecticut. He brings three years of environmental consulting experience from ENVIRON Corporation in Arlington, Virginia. He is a registered professional environmental engineer in the state of Ohio.
Education
- Ph.D., University of Connecticut
- M.S., University of Connecticut
- B.S., Cornell University
Research Interests
Dr. Riefler investigates chemical and biological interactions that affect the transport and transformation of pollutants in the environment, with heavy use of analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and numerical modeling. His research focuses on:
- Phytoremediation of contaminated sites
- Chemical and biological processes in acid mine drainage remediation
- Stormwater treatment technologies
- Algae growth for alternative fuels and sustainable housing applications
- Development of sustainable processes to convert iron sludge from acid mine drainage into profitable paint pigment
His research program bridges environmental engineering with practical applications for pollution control and resource recovery, particularly emphasizing sustainable approaches to environmental challenges.
Scientific Awards
- ODNR Mining Awareness Educator Award (2009)
- OHIO Transformative Teaching Award (2011)
Professional Activities
Dr. Riefler has served as faculty advisor for the OHIO Engineers Without Borders group in Ghana and has mentored students in WERC and ASCE environmental design competitions. His work demonstrates a strong commitment to both research excellence and student development.
