Brian Teppen

Professor Brian Teppen is a faculty member in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. He holds the rank of Professor and specializes in soil chemistry, molecular simulation, and atomic-scale mechanisms of sorption reactions at mineral surfaces. His research focuses on understanding environmental colloids' behavior through molecular modeling and experimental validation.

Education:

• B.S. in Agronomy, University of Arkansas
• Ph.D. in Soil Chemistry, University of Arkansas

Research Interests: Professor Teppen investigates surface structures of environmentally relevant colloids, adsorption mechanisms for gaseous/solution species in soils, and anthropogenic modifications of surfaces for optimized adsorption. His work expands molecular modeling tools to environmental systems, particularly soil minerals and colloid-solution interfaces. Key areas include developing quantum/classical physics models for aqueous solutions, contaminants, and mineral surfaces, validated through spectroscopic/diffraction data.

Research Trends in Articles: His publications emphasize sorption mechanisms of pesticides (e.g., atrazine, carbaryl), trichloroethene, and nitroaromatic compounds on clay minerals like smectite and saponite. He explores hydration effects, cation exchange, redox reactions, and thermodynamic drivers of adsorption. Recent work integrates computational methods (e.g., molecular dynamics simulations) to predict contaminant behavior and validate experimental observations.

Awards and Honors:

• Phi Beta Kappa (1977)
• Sigma Pi Sigma (1977)
• Sigma Xi (1991)
• H.W. Mann Scholarship (1989)
• American Society of Agronomy Outstanding Senior (1989)
• University of Arkansas Senior Scholar (1990)
• Arkansas Graduate School Doctoral Fellowship (1991-1994)

Grants and Collaborations: He has led or co-led multiple grants from USDA, NSF, and NIEHS, focusing on pesticide retention, geochemical controls on contaminant fate, and clay mineral modeling. Notable projects include Superfund Basic Research Program collaborations and international partnerships (e.g., with French institutions).

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams including physical chemists, mineralogists, and environmental engineers to validate models and apply them to real-world systems.