Richard G. Luthy is the Silas H. Palmer Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Oceans. He directs the NSF Engineering Research Center ReNUWIt, focusing on sustainable urban water infrastructure. His research emphasizes water reuse, stormwater management, and contaminant mitigation in engineered systems. He holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, and has authored over 300 publications. Awards include the Rudolf Hering Medal and membership in the National Academy of Engineering. He teaches courses on water quality, treatment processes, and California water policy. Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering (UC Berkeley, 1967), M.S. Ocean Engineering (UH, 1969), M.S. and Ph.D. Civil Engineering (UC Berkeley, 1974/1976), Hon. Sci. D. (Clarkson U., 2005). Research Interests: Urban water challenges, persistent contaminants, stormwater treatment, and sustainable infrastructure. His work integrates systems-level analysis for water reuse and climate-resilient solutions. Awards: Rudolf Hering Medal (ASCE, 2022), Perry L. McCarty AEESP Award (2023), and leadership roles in the National Research Council and AEESP. Labs/Teams: Luthy Group (Stanford), ReNUWIt Consortium. Current advisees include Nora AlMaqsseed and Jessica MacDonald. He collaborates on projects like activated carbon sediment remediation and stormwater control measure design.
Ryan T. Bailey is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University. His work focuses on watershed management, groundwater hydrology, and environmental systems, with an emphasis on sustainability and numerical modeling. Education: Ph.D., 2012, Colorado State University – Civil and Environmental Engineering M.S., 2008, University of Guam – Environmental Science B.S., 2006, Brigham Young University – Civil and Environmental Engineering Ryan's research integrates fieldwork, laboratory studies, and advanced numerical modeling to address critical water resource challenges. Key projects include assessing reactive solute transport in agricultural groundwater systems, evaluating impacts of agricultural dry-up scenarios, and developing coupled watershed-groundwater models like SWAT-MODFLOW and SWAT+ with the gwflow module. His work extends to international contexts, particularly in small oceanic islands such as the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Maldives, where he studies groundwater sustainability during droughts and trains local water managers. The Groundwater Resources Lab at Colorado State University, led by Ryan, develops open-source tools for hydrologic modeling, including UZF-RT3D, RT3D-OTIS, and SWAT-Salt. These tools facilitate investigations into nutrient cycling, salinity transport, and best-management practices for pollution remediation. His research bridges environmental engineering, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management. Ryan's contributions include mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, fostering global water security through collaborative projects, and linking watershed and groundwater models to enhance predictive accuracy. His work impacts both academic advancements and practical applications in water-stressed regions.
Lee Ferguson is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University, with additional appointments as Associate Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Policy. His research focuses on environmental analytical chemistry, particularly using high-resolution mass spectrometry to study per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) , microplastics , and endocrine disruptors . Ferguson Lab develops methods for contaminant detection in water systems and investigates chemical leaching from polymers. Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stony Brook University (2002) Former Assistant Professor at University of South Carolina (2003-2009) Recent work includes PFAS analysis in lithium-ion batteries, glyphosate detection in hard waters, and microplastic dye toxicity studies. Key publications explore urban watershed contamination, Sri Lankan drinking water CKDu links, and novel analytical methods for environmental pollutants. Applied Research Fellowship (2022), Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow (2011) Testified before U.S. Senate on nanotechnology risks Co-founder of NC PFAS Testing Network As an advisor, he mentors Doctoral Candidates Patrick Faught and Anna Lewis , who investigate microplastic dyes and polymer additives. Lab research spans environmental fate of nanomaterials, contaminant bioavailability, and exposomics for health outcomes.
Jennifer Weidhaas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah since 2016. She holds a PhD and MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California-Davis, and a BS in Civil Engineering from Montana State University. A registered Professional Engineer, her research spans environmental microbiology, wastewater epidemiology, and sustainable water treatment technologies. Education: BS, Civil Engineering, Montana State University (1999) MS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Davis (2002) PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Davis (2006) Her research focuses on environmental microbiology , quantitative microbial risk assessment , and water treatment innovations , particularly for munition compounds and PFAS. She leads the E-Sure Research Lab, integrating biotechnology with civil engineering to address challenges in wastewater reuse, biosolid application, and contaminant fate. Her work on ion exchange systems and nanofiltration models has advanced sustainable treatment train design. Key findings from her publications include: Optimized ion exchange systems for NTO removal with 99% efficiency NSF CAREER-funded wastewater surveillance models for pathogen tracking Life cycle assessments showing 22% lower environmental impact with IX-AGR-ozone configurations Development of microbial degradation pathways for insensitive munition compounds Scientific recognition includes: Outstanding Mentor (2018, University of Utah) Multiple Teaching Excellence Awards (2015-2017) Best Paper Award (ASEE, 2017) NSF CAREER Award (2016) She actively engages in community outreach, training 80 K-12 teachers in engineering and organizing water quality testing events for Salt Lake City households. Her teaching portfolio includes graduate thesis supervision and undergraduate courses like Life Sciences in Engineering .
Noel R. Aloysius is an Assistant Professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the College of Engineering and the School of Natural Resources within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri. His work integrates engineering, environmental science, and data modeling to address pressing challenges in water and food security, climate impacts, and sustainable land management. Education: Ph.D., Yale University, 2015 M.S., University of North Dakota, 2006 B.Sc.Eng., University of Peradeniya, 1997 His research focuses on terrestrial hydrology, watershed biophysical processes, and environmental informatics. He investigates how climate, landscapes, and human management influence water movement, pollution transport, and ecosystem responses across field, watershed, and continental scales. His group combines field observations, long-term hydro-climatic data, and advanced numerical and statistical models to simulate and predict environmental change impacts. Noel Aloysius is actively involved in interdisciplinary research through his membership in the Gulf Hypoxia Task Force SERA-46, a consortium of Land Grant Universities addressing nutrient pollution and hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. His teaching includes courses such as Watershed Modeling Using GIS, Environmental Hydrology, Observing the Earth from Space, Numerical Methods in Engineering, and Advanced Hydroinformatics. He is currently accepting new graduate advisees and conducts research in the Agricultural Engineering Building (Lab: 138). Scientific Affiliations and Research Groups: Member, Gulf Hypoxia Task Force SERA-46 (representing University of Missouri) Research Group: Human-natural systems modeling, hydraulics and hydrology, water resource management He advises graduate students and leads research projects focused on improving water quality, assessing environmental change, and developing sustainable agricultural practices using remote sensing and modeling tools. While specific grants are not listed, his work aligns with major national priorities in sustainability, climate resilience, and environmental engineering. His lab contributes to large-scale assessments of pollution fate and transport, particularly in the context of the Mississippi River Basin and Gulf of Mexico hypoxia.
Russell Detwiler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine. He holds a Ph.D. and B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado and University of Vermont, respectively. As Associate Director of the UCI WEX Center, his work combines laboratory experimentation with computational modeling to study subsurface fluid dynamics. Education: Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Colorado B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Vermont Research Focus: Detwiler's research examines fluid flow processes in porous and fractured media, with emphasis on multiphase flow, subsurface property alteration, and environmental applications. Key areas include contaminant remediation, CO2 sequestration, geothermal energy, and nuclear waste management. Publication Trends: His recent work (2022-2024) emphasizes subsurface PFAS behavior, coastal aquifer modeling, and fracture clogging dynamics. Earlier research (2019-2021) focused on mineral precipitation effects and kinetic modeling for contaminant removal. Common sub-fields span fracture sealing mechanisms, particle retention, and reactive transport modeling. Laboratory: Leads the Subsurface Processes Visualization Lab, developing parallel computational models to scale laboratory observations to field applications. Research integrates high-resolution imaging with numerical simulation for subsurface system analysis.
James W Roy is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Environment & Society at McMaster University . His research focuses on groundwater-surface water interactions , contaminant transport , and ecological impacts of urban and industrial groundwater plumes . He employs advanced geophysical techniques (e.g., DC-IP imaging) and chemical tracers (e.g., artificial sweeteners) to study hydrological processes in alpine , agricultural , and urban stream systems . Key research areas include: Groundwater contamination by PFAS, road salts, and septic systems Aquatic ecosystem exposure to chloride and nutrient plumes Biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon Hydrological modeling of glacial moraine and riparian zones Recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize freshwater salinization , toxicity assessments , and long-term groundwater monitoring . No formal awards or student advisories are documented in the provided materials.
Kevin Farley is a Professor and the Blasland, Bouck and Lee Faculty Chair in Civil & Environmental Engineering at Manhattan College, NY. He holds a PhD from MIT and has extensive experience in water quality modeling, sediment contamination, and toxic chemical bioaccumulation. Education: PhD in Civil-Environmental Engineering, MIT ME and BE in Environmental/Civil Engineering, Manhattan College Research Interests: Focuses on water quality modeling, sediment contamination (e.g., PCBs, dioxins), metal mobilization, and bioaccumulation in the Hudson River and NY-NJ Harbor. His work integrates environmental chemistry, toxicology, and engineering to address real-world contamination challenges. Professional Contributions: Served on scientific advisory panels for EPA, UNEP, and the Hudson River Foundation. Leads the Institute in Water Pollution Control at Manhattan College and teaches courses like Surface Water Quality Modeling and Environmental Fate of Toxic Contaminants. Grants & Funding: Secured over $4M in grants from agencies like EPA, NIH, and the Hudson River Foundation for projects on metal toxicity, PCB fate, and nitrogen load reduction in Long Island Sound. Labs/Teams: Directs the Institute in Water Pollution Control, fostering collaborative research on water quality and sustainable resource management.
Zhenyu Tian is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Northeastern University’s College of Science, affiliated with the Barnett Institute of Chemical and Biological Analysis. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Washington Tacoma’s Center for Urban Waters. His research focuses on identifying and quantifying environmental contaminants, particularly tire-derived pollutants like 6PPD-quinone, using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and chemoinformatics. His work addresses microplastics, urban stormwater toxicity, and engineered treatment systems. Key research interests include non-target analysis (NTA), bioassay integration, and assessing contaminant risks to ecosystems and human health. His lab explores microplastic impacts, tire wear particle leaching, and chemical transformation products in environmental samples. Tian has received the 2023 TIER1 Award for innovative research in environmental chemistry. His affiliations include the Barnett Institute and Northeastern’s Biotechnology and Chemistry departments. His expertise spans environmental chemistry, analytical methodologies, and eco-toxicological assessments. Education: Ph.D., University of North Carolina; Postdoctoral Research, University of Washington Tacoma Awards: 2023 TIER1 Awardee (Northeastern University) Labs/Groups: Tian Research Group, Barnett Institute
Andrew Turner is a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Plymouth within the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences , Faculty of Science and Engineering. His work focuses on marine and environmental biogeochemistry, with particular emphasis on plastic and chemical pollutants in marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems. Teaches marine and environmental biogeochemistry Researches plastics, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants Integrates citizen science with conventional research Collaborates with 20+ international institutions Research Themes: Specializes in microplastic/nanoplastic pollution, toxic metal interactions, waste management, and atmospheric plastic transport. His studies include human exposure to microplastics, contamination of consumer goods, and environmental impacts of recycling processes. Publication Trends: Recent articles show increasing focus on microplastic-air interactions, human health implications, and analytical advancements in plastic and metal detection. Key subfields: atmospheric microplastics, biofluid contamination, dust storm transport, and consumer product leaching. Advising & Collaboration: Supervises PhD/MRes candidates and 150+ MSc students. Collaborates with organizations including WHO, Science Museum, and academic institutions across 15 countries.
Dr. Bas Vriens is an Assistant Professor at Queen's University, Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, within the Faculty of Arts and Science. He leads the NFRF-Exploration Project and holds cross-appointments at the Beaty Water Research Centre. His research focuses on metal contaminants in mine wastes and the Great Lakes basin, integrating environmental geochemistry, hydrology, and engineering to quantify anthropogenic pollutant impacts. Education : Ph.D. in Environmental System Sciences (2015), ETH Zurich M.E.Sci. in Environmental Geochemistry (2011), Utrecht University B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (2009), Avans Hogeschool Breda Research Interests : He investigates metal mobilization from mine wastes and emerging contaminants in wastewater. His work integrates interdisciplinary methods, including geochemical modeling, geospatial statistics, and field monitoring. Key areas include: Mine waste management and metal recovery Trace metal biogeochemistry in aquatic systems Wastewater effluent and biosolids management Advising & Grants : Current advisees span MSc to postdoctoral researchers (e.g., Nathan Beckner-Stetson, Mehran Mahdian). He supervises projects on surface water quality, watershed modeling, and industrial waste analysis. Labs & Teams : His research group collaborates with industry and government partners, focusing on lab-scale experiments, field studies, and computational modeling. Active projects include the Great Lakes trace metal budget and mine waste-rock weathering dynamics.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUnited States
Madeline E. Schreiber serves as Professor of Hydrogeosciences in the Department of Geosciences within Virginia Tech's College of Science. Her research program develops quantitative predictions of solute behavior in natural waters to address critical questions about release mechanisms, transport processes, and fate of contaminants, with a practical focus on protecting water quality through integrated field, laboratory, and modeling approaches. Her work is published in leading hydrogeology and environmental science journals and supported by diverse funding sources including NSF, federal agencies, industry, and non-profits. Dr. Schreiber's educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Geology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (1999) M.S. in Geology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (1995) B.S. in Geology from Yale University (1991) Her research spans chemical hydrogeology with emphasis on solute transport dynamics, groundwater chemistry, and environmental contamination. Key investigations address metal cycling in reservoirs, arsenic mobilization in aquifers, and biogeochemical processes controlling contaminant fate. She employs advanced methodologies including high-frequency sensor networks, laboratory experiments on mineral-water interactions, and numerical modeling to resolve complex hydrogeochemical systems across temporal and spatial scales. Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate concentrated expertise in reservoir management, particularly examining hypolimnetic oxygenation effects on iron/manganese removal, drawdown impacts on reservoir ecosystems, and arsenic contamination mechanisms. Her work increasingly integrates real-time forecasting systems for water quality management under climate change, leveraging extensive time-series data from Virginia reservoirs. This research bridges fundamental hydrogeochemistry with practical water resource protection needs. Dr. Schreiber actively mentors graduate students in hydrogeology and related disciplines while securing competitive funding from multiple sectors. Her research group maintains strong industry and agency partnerships focused on solving pressing water quality challenges. The VT Hydrogeosciences lab conducts field studies across southwestern Virginia reservoirs (Falling Creek, Beaverdam, Carvins Cove), utilizing cutting-edge instrumentation for high-frequency water quality monitoring. Current projects examine metal cycling dynamics, sediment-water interactions, and biogeochemical responses to oxygenation management, directly informing drinking water protection strategies.
Prof. Dr. Seval Sözen is a Professor of Environmental Engineering at Istanbul Technical University, leading the Department of Environmental Engineering since 2002. Her academic career includes roles as Head of Department (2006–2009), Vice Dean (2004–2007), and co-founder of ENVIS Environmental and Energy Systems R&D (2008). She holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from ITU (1995) and has been a member of key organizations like the International Association on Water Quality and Turkish National Committee for Water Pollution Research and Control. Her research focuses on Clean Production Technologies, Biotechnology, Waste Management, and Water/Wastewater Treatment. Notable contributions include hydrodynamic modeling for marine pollution (Golden Horn, Bosphorus), optimization of activated sludge processes, and sustainable energy recovery from wastewater. She has pioneered studies on textile wastewater treatment, landfill leachate management, and climate-resilient water policies for Istanbul. Her work integrates experimental and modeling approaches, emphasizing environmental sustainability. Over 200+ publications span advanced oxidation, membrane bioreactors, and policy frameworks for water quality in sensitive regions. She actively collaborates on EU-funded projects like enviroGRIDS, linking Earth observation to environmental policy.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Lee Ann Green serves as an Associate Research Scientist in Analytic Chemistry at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC), University of Illinois. Her research focuses on environmental contaminants, particularly microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), across agricultural streams, landfills, and lake ecosystems. Green actively contributes to scientific discourse through high-impact publications and media engagement on critical pollution issues. Green's primary research areas include: Microplastics in freshwater and wastewater systems PFAS contamination and transport mechanisms Environmental analytical chemistry methods Persistent organic pollutants in aquatic environments Rare earth elements in plastic waste Contaminant interactions in complex matrices Her work integrates advanced chemical analysis with field studies to assess ecological risks and inform remediation strategies. Analysis of Green's publications (2021-2025) reveals a cohesive research program centered on: Field assessments of microplastics/PFAS in agricultural streams (Iowa), landfills, and Muskegon Lake Interactions between microplastics and chemical contaminants Development of analytical protocols for emerging pollutants Environmental fate of contaminants in wastewater treatment systems Resource recovery from plastic waste streams Pollution monitoring in sustainable technology frameworks This research trajectory highlights growing concerns over plastic and chemical pollution in critical water resources, with significant policy implications. Green operates within the collaborative framework of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, engaging with multi-institutional teams including the US Geological Survey and environmental agencies. Her projects leverage interdisciplinary expertise in hydrology, ecology, and engineering to address complex contamination scenarios across land-water interfaces.
Kenneth Lee is the Dean of the School of Engineering Technology at Farmingdale State College, where he leads academic and administrative initiatives in engineering education and research. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Irvine, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Montana and Ohio. Education: Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of California, Irvine M.S., Civil Engineering, University of California, Irvine B.S., Civil Engineering, University of California, Irvine Dr. Lee's research focuses on groundwater contamination, water treatment, and renewable energy , with particular emphasis on the transport and remediation of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), coal tar, and chlorinated solvents in subsurface environments. His work combines experimental studies with numerical modeling to understand contaminant fate and develop effective remediation strategies. His extensive publication record spans over two decades and includes studies on viscosity effects, phase partitioning, photochemical remediation, and long-term contaminant transport . These works reveal a strong trend toward integrating chemical, physical, and computational approaches to solve complex environmental engineering problems, particularly in saturated porous media and aquifer systems. Professional Experience Highlights: Dean, School of Engineering Technology, Farmingdale State College Engineering Dean, Montana Technological University Founding Chair, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western New England University Faculty, UMass Lowell, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Rutgers University Postdoctoral Research, Princeton University Dr. Lee has made significant contributions to environmental engineering through his research and leadership. While no specific awards are listed, his publications in top-tier journals such as Water Research , Journal of Hazardous Materials , and Environmental Science & Technology reflect scholarly excellence. His work has implications for environmental policy, remediation design, and sustainable water resource management. He has advised numerous graduate students throughout his career, though specific names are not listed. His research has likely been supported by grants from federal and state agencies, given the technical depth and experimental nature of his work. Dr. Lee has also contributed to interdisciplinary efforts, including reactor design for photochemical remediation and modeling of humic substance effects on contaminant transport. Dr. Lee has been involved in laboratory and field-based research teams focused on environmental contamination and remediation. His collaborations with researchers like C.V. Chrysikopoulos and J. Khinast indicate active participation in research groups specializing in subsurface hydrology and contaminant transport modeling.
