Charles F. Harvey

Charles F. Harvey is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he investigates hydrology, carbon cycling, and groundwater contamination. His work spans tropical peatlands, arsenic pollution in South Asia, and coastal groundwater dynamics, with field sites in Borneo, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.

• Education: B.A. in Mathematics (Oberlin College, 1986), M.S. in Applied Earth Science (Stanford University, 1992), Ph.D. in Geological and Environmental Sciences (Stanford University, 1996).

Harvey’s research focuses on hydrogeology, carbon sequestration, and contaminant transport. He explores how groundwater flow and biogeochemical processes interact in tropical peatlands and coastal systems, with significant implications for climate change and water security.

His recent publications emphasize tropical peatland hydrology, arsenic mobilization, and coastal groundwater exchange, integrating field experiments, remote sensing, and computational models.

Scientific Awards

• AGU Fellow
• GSA Fellow
• Meinzer Award (GSA)
• Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water
• M. King Hubbert Award for Hydrology
• NSF Young Investigator Award

Harvey leads the Harvey Lab, mentoring students and researchers in projects ranging from groundwater arsenic mitigation to coastal marsh biogeochemistry. His work bridges terrestrial and marine systems, addressing critical planetary challenges.