NAPL Dissolution Professors and Supervisors

Holger SteebView profile

Professor

University of StuttgartGermany

Holger Steeb is a Professor and Institute Director at the Institute of Applied Mechanics (MIB) at the University of Stuttgart, where he also holds the Chair of Continuum Mechanics. His academic journey includes a Diplom in Civil Engineering (1990–1995) and a Dr.-Ing. from the University of Stuttgart (2002). He has held positions at Saarland University, the University of Twente, and Ruhr-University Bochum. His research focuses on continuum mechanics, porous media, fluid dynamics, and fracture mechanics, leveraging computational methods and advanced imaging techniques like X-ray tomography. Steeb’s work integrates experimental and numerical approaches to study multiphase flows, geomechanics, and material behavior. He leads interdisciplinary projects involving collaborators from engineering, geology, and environmental science. Key methodologies include pore-scale modeling, additive manufacturing for micromodels, and fracture mechanics simulations. His contributions span energy storage (CO2 sequestration), glaciology, and material characterization of concretes and asphalt. Recent research emphasizes kinetic interface-sensitive tracers for reservoir characterization and the mechanical behavior of shape-memory polymers. His lab employs high-resolution imaging and machine learning for fracture detection and fluid displacement analysis. Steeb’s publications reflect a balance between theoretical frameworks and applied engineering solutions. Professional roles include leadership in the GeomInt initiative studying geomechanical integrity of host rocks. His work bridges micro-scale phenomena with large-scale environmental and infrastructural challenges, influencing both academic and industrial applications.

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Amalia KokkinakiView profile

Associate Professor

University of San FranciscoUnited States

Amalia Kokkinaki is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science at the University of San Francisco (USF), where she has been a full-time faculty member since 2016. She also serves as the Program Director and is actively involved in the university community, including advising the Environmental Engineering and Science Club and serving on the curriculum committee for the new engineering program. Her educational background includes a PhD and MASc in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Toronto (2013 and 2007, respectively) and a BS and MS in Environmental Engineering from the Technical University of Crete (2005). Dr. Kokkinaki's research focuses on the intersection of environmental engineering and mathematical modeling, with expertise in groundwater flow and contaminant transport , contaminant hydrogeology , and statistical modeling and data assimilation . Her work addresses critical challenges in groundwater remediation , particularly for dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), and extends to carbon dioxide storage monitoring and biological treatment of organic pollutants . She employs advanced techniques such as Bayesian inverse modeling and hydrogeophysical methods to characterize subsurface systems and improve remediation strategies. Her recent publications (2013-2023) demonstrate a consistent focus on developing and applying innovative modeling approaches for subsurface characterization and contaminant transport. Key trends include the integration of machine learning (e.g., deep learning-based inversion) with traditional hydrogeological methods, advancements in data assimilation techniques for real-time monitoring, and the application of these methods to complex problems such as DNAPL source zone remediation and CO2 storage. Dr. Kokkinaki has received recognition for her contributions, including: Best reviewer award, Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics (JEEG) 26(3), 2021 University of San Francisco, Mentor of the Year, 2020 She is a dedicated mentor, having advised numerous undergraduate and graduate students on projects ranging from PFAS sorption kinetics to urban forest air quality analysis. Her students have worked on diverse topics including PFOA sorption, uranium-VI modeling, residential electrification, and graphical user interfaces for water resources management. Additionally, she teaches undergraduate courses in environmental science and graduate courses in the master’s program (MSEM) and the Geospatial Analysis Lab (GsAL). Dr. Kokkinaki is an active member of the Geospatial Analysis Lab (GsAL) and contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives such as the development of USF's new engineering program.

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Kenneth LeeView profile

Professor

Farmingdale State CollegeUnited States

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.

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Federico BrusadelliView profile

Researcher

University of Naples 'L'Orientale'Italy

Federico Brusadelli is a researcher at the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' since 2020, where he teaches History of China and Global History of East Asia. His academic journey began with a degree in Oriental Languages and Civilizations from Sapienza University of Rome, followed by a PhD in Asian Studies from the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' with a thesis on the thought of the late imperial Chinese philosopher Kang Youwei. Prior to his current position, he taught at the universities of Pescara and Bologna, and from 2017 to 2020 at the Institute of Sinology at Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany as a 'Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter'. His educational background includes: Laurea (Bachelor's degree) in Oriental Languages and Civilizations from Sapienza University of Rome PhD in Asian Studies from the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' Brusadelli's research focuses on the intellectual and political history of late imperial and republican China, with particular interest in the circulation, adaptation, and translation of foreign political concepts and institutional models. His work often examines how Chinese intellectuals engaged with Western political ideas and systems. In spring 2024, he was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of Chicago, where he studied how Chinese intellectuals of the 'long twentieth century' described and judged the American federal system. He has also been a visiting researcher at the European Institute for Chinese Studies in Paris (2021), the Polish Institute of Advanced Studies (2022), and the Centre for Advanced Studies in Sofia (2023). His scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on conceptual history, particularly examining federalism, utopian thought, and political reform in Chinese context. His publications span from studies on Kang Youwei's political philosophy to analyses of contemporary Chinese political thought, revealing a trajectory that bridges historical and contemporary perspectives on Chinese intellectual engagement with global ideas. Brusadelli has received several academic honors: Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of Chicago (2024) Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (since 2022) Member of the Board of the European Association for Chinese Philosophy (2021-2025) Managing editor of the journal Ming Qing Yanjiu He is actively involved in teaching across multiple degree programs including Ancient Cultures and Archaeology: Asia, Africa and Mediterranean; Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa; and Relations and Institutions of Asia and Africa. His teaching schedule for October 2025 shows regular instruction in History of China and Global History of East Asia courses, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to academic instruction. Brusadelli maintains an active research agenda, frequently collaborating with international institutions and scholars. His work positions him at the intersection of Chinese history, political theory, and global intellectual exchange, making significant contributions to understanding how political concepts travel and transform across cultural boundaries.

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Davor AntonucciView profile

Associate Professor

Sapienza University of RomeItaly

Davor Antonucci is an Associate Professor at the Italian Institute of Oriental Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, specializing in East Asian History with a focus on Chinese and Mongolian history. He teaches courses on History of Ancient and Modern China and Mongolian History , offering both undergraduate and master's level instruction. His office is located at the Marco Polo Building in Rome, with specific office hours and contact details provided. His research spans historical interactions between China and Mongolia, Jesuit missions in Asia, and the evolution of Mongol-West relations during the Pax Mongolica. Recent seminars, such as the 2024 Mongolian history seminar, explore Tibet-Mongolia dynamics and European missionary accounts. Antonucci's work also examines cartographic contributions by Jesuits under Emperor Kangxi and the historiographical use of missionary sources in Chinese studies. 2024 Permanent Seminar : Tibet-Mongolia relations 2023-2025 Course Offerings : China's history, Mongolian cultural studies 2021 Conference : Post-Soviet minority issues His publications analyze European perceptions of Tartary, Jesuit contributions to geographical knowledge, and the role of missionaries in documenting Asian Empires. While no scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, his academic engagements reflect significant contributions to Mongolian and East Asian historiography.

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Bill RixeyView profile

Associate Professor

University of HoustonUnited States

Bill Rixey, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston. His career spans over three decades, including roles as Associate Department Chair (2014–2022) and continuous faculty service since 1999. He specializes in physicochemical processes for groundwater protection, focusing on chemical fate and transport, subsurface remediation, and environmental risk assessment. Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley; B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University. Dr. Rixey's research explores the environmental impacts of ethanol-based fuels, particularly groundwater contamination and remediation strategies. His work examines microbial responses, chemical transport dynamics, and risk mitigation in aquifer systems. His publications highlight ethanol-enhanced dissolution of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), methane bioattenuation for explosion risk reduction, and microbial community shifts in contaminated aquifers. Key subfields include ethanol fuel blends, benzene plume elongation, and physicochemical modeling. Scientific Awards: Enron Teaching Excellence Award (2002), W.T. Kittinger Teaching Excellence Award (1999), Outstanding Teaching Award (1998, 2001, 2008), ASCE Professor of the Year (1998), Distinguished Service Award from WEAT and TAWWA (2005). Dr. Rixey has secured grants from the American Petroleum Institute, Shell Global Solutions, Texas Hazardous Waste Research Center, Butamax, and Chevron for pilot-scale aquifer investigations, in situ remediation, and fuel ethanol impact studies. He actively contributes to advisory boards and editorial roles in environmental research.

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Holger ClassView profile

Adjunct Professor

University of StuttgartGermany

Holger Class is an Adjunct Professor and Deputy Head of the Department at the University of Stuttgart , specifically within the Department of Hydromechanics and Modelling of Hydrosystems . His academic career includes a Diplom (1997), doctoral degree (2000), and habilitation (2008), all in engineering. Since 2004, he has held research and teaching roles at the University of Stuttgart's Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, porous media processes, and CO2 sequestration. Key interests include multiphase flow modeling, density-driven dissolution, and karst hydrology. He has contributed to developing numerical models like DuMux and pioneered studies on enzymatically induced calcite precipitation. Teaching includes modules on fluid mechanics, environmental fluid dynamics, and multiphase modeling in porous media. He has advised on projects involving microfluidic experiments, hydraulic simulations, and geochemical processes. Awards include the 1999 John F. Kennedy Student Paper competition first prize and the 2006 University of Stuttgart Environmental Engineering award for teaching excellence. Research Impact : His work bridges numerical modeling with experimental validation, addressing challenges in subsurface flow, CO2 storage, and geomechanical processes. Collaborations span academic and industrial sectors, emphasizing interdisciplinary solutions for environmental and energy challenges.

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Jonathan IstokView profile

Professor

Oregon State UniversityUnited States

Jonathan Istok is a Professor and Head of the School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Oregon State University. His expertise lies in groundwater hydrology, bioremediation, and aquifer characterization. He is renowned for developing the single-well push-pull test method to quantify subsurface reactions and remediation processes. Dr. Istok’s research focuses on contaminant remediation for chlorinated solvents, radionuclides, and explosives in aquifers, combining laboratory and field experiments. He has authored three influential books: *Push-Pull Tests for Site Characterization*, *Aquifer Testing: Analysis and Design of Pumping and Slug Tests*, and *Groundwater Modeling by the Finite Element Method*. His teaching spans groundwater hydrology, modeling, and remediation. Research interests include microbial metabolic processes, NAPL dissolution, heavy metal mobilization, and sorption reactions. He leads the Groundwater Research Lab and collaborates on projects like the Umatilla Chemical Depot cleanup. No scientific awards or funded grants are explicitly listed in the provided text. He advises no listed students but mentors through academic and research programs.

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Marios IoannidisView profile

Professor

University of WaterlooCanada

Marios Ioannidis serves as Department Chair and Professor specializing in transport phenomena within porous materials. His research bridges fundamental pore-scale processes with macroscopic engineering applications across energy, environmental, and materials science domains. Education: Dipl. Eng. from University of Patras, Greece PhD from University of Waterloo His research focuses on pore-scale transport mechanisms in complex porous systems. Key areas include characterization of vuggy carbonate reservoirs using multi-scale experimental probes (NMR, SEM, mercury porosimetry), modeling of NAPL dissolution dynamics in contaminated aquifers, and optimization of gas diffusion layers for PEM fuel cells. His work integrates stochastic microstructure modeling with experimental validation to predict macroscopic properties like capillary pressure and mass transfer rates. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2004-2015) reveals consistent emphasis on porous media characterization techniques and multi-scale transport modeling . Dominant themes include fuel cell water management (22% of articles), NAPL remediation (27%), and microstructure reconstruction (33%), with strong methodological focus on pore network simulations and multi-modal experimental validation. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. His collaborative research involves extensive experimental work using glass micromodels, NMR relaxometry, and pore-network simulations. Current projects address gas bubble nucleation in supersaturated solutions, surfactant-enhanced contaminant dissolution, and capillary properties of fuel cell components, with applications in hydrocarbon recovery and clean energy systems.

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Kevin MumfordView profile

Associate Professor

Queen's University at KingstonCanada

Dr. Kevin Mumford is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Queen's University, affiliated with Smith Engineering. His research focuses on multiphase fluid dynamics in porous media, particularly gas migration and mass transfer processes relevant to environmental remediation. He holds cross appointments as Research Director at the GeoEngineering Centre and as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Waterloo's Civil and Environmental Engineering department. **Education**: PhD in Civil Engineering (2008), McMaster University M.A.Sc in Civil Engineering (2002), University of Waterloo B.A.Sc in Environmental Engineering (2000), University of Waterloo **Research Interests**: Dr. Mumford investigates contamination from non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), thermal remediation strategies, and fugitive gas migration in subsurface systems. His work combines lab experiments and numerical modeling to address challenges in groundwater protection and site remediation. Key areas include vapor intrusion, shale gas development impacts, and PFAS behavior in porous media. **Supervision**: Currently advising Ariel Nunez Garcia (Postdoctoral Fellow). His research group explores cutting-edge techniques like coupled continuum-discrete modeling and advanced PFAS treatment systems. **Labs & Facilities**: Active in Queen's GeoEngineering Centre and Beaty Water Research Centre. Utilizes transparent soil visualization techniques and high-resolution experimental setups for multiphase flow studies.

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