Brian Mailloux

Brian Mailloux is a Professor and Co-Chair of the Environmental Science Department at Barnard College, where he has been a faculty member since 2006 and received tenure in 2014. His research bridges environmental science, geomicrobiology, and public health, with a focus on groundwater contamination, particularly arsenic mobilization in South Asia. He is actively involved in interdisciplinary research and collaborates with institutions across the U.S. and Bangladesh.

• BA, Johns Hopkins University
• MS, University of Minnesota
• PhD, Princeton University

Mailloux’s research centers on the biogeochemical processes governing arsenic release in groundwater, microbial interactions in subsurface environments, and the implications for water quality and public health. His work integrates field studies in Bangladesh with laboratory experiments and modeling to understand microbial weathering, redox dynamics, and contaminant transport. He also investigates remediation strategies such as enhanced sulfate reduction and chemical mobilization techniques. His academic focus includes groundwater systems, arsenic geochemistry, geomicrobiology, and environmental remediation.

The trends in his recent publications highlight a sustained focus on arsenic contamination, microbial processes in aquifers, and water quality in developing regions. His work combines environmental chemistry, microbiology, and hydrogeology to address real-world public health challenges. He frequently publishes in high-impact journals such as Environmental Science & Technology and PNAS, emphasizing both fundamental mechanisms and applied solutions.

• Podcast 'Groundwater, Public Health, and Environment' named one of the 20 best microbiology podcasts in 2021

Mailloux advises undergraduate researchers through senior thesis seminars and independent studies, fostering hands-on research in environmental science. He has secured research grants supporting fieldwork in Bangladesh and laboratory investigations, often in collaboration with co-investigators from Columbia University and other institutions. His professional affiliations include the Geological Society of America (Campus Representative since 2008), American Geophysical Union, American Chemical Society, and American Society for Microbiology. He has delivered invited lectures at NIH, EPA, and AGU meetings, demonstrating national recognition in his field.

He leads research initiatives related to groundwater contamination and public health, including wastewater surveillance for pathogens such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in collaboration with Professor JJ Miranda. His lab integrates field sampling, microbial analysis, and geochemical testing, contributing to a deeper understanding of subsurface environmental systems.