Mark O. Barnett

Dr. Mark O. Barnett is a Professor of Environmental Engineering and Associate Chair in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. With a distinguished career spanning multiple decades, Dr. Barnett has established himself as a leading expert in water quality, environmental contamination, and remediation technologies. His research bridges fundamental environmental chemistry with practical engineering solutions for complex environmental challenges.

Dr. Barnett received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina, M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Tennessee, and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tennessee. His educational background provided the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach that combines chemical engineering principles with environmental science.

• Water quality in natural and engineered systems
• Fate and effect of metals and radionuclides
• Drinking water treatment technologies
• Water, sanitation, and health in underserved communities
• Environmental policy and regulation
• Heavy metal bioavailability and remediation
• Subsurface contaminant transport

Dr. Barnett's research portfolio demonstrates a clear evolution from fundamental studies of contaminant behavior in the environment to increasingly applied research addressing pressing public health and infrastructure challenges. His recent work has focused on rural sanitation issues in Alabama's Black Belt region, lead contamination in drinking water, and the affordability of water treatment systems - reflecting a growing emphasis on environmental justice and practical solutions for underserved communities. His publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary approach that integrates chemistry, hydrology, toxicology, and policy analysis.

As an academic advisor, Dr. Barnett has mentored numerous graduate students through completion of their degrees, with many going on to successful careers in environmental engineering consulting, research, and industry. His research group has consistently secured funding from agencies including the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency to support their work on environmental contamination and remediation.

Dr. Barnett maintains an active research laboratory focused on environmental chemistry and contaminant behavior, with particular expertise in metal and radionuclide interactions with environmental media. His work continues to bridge fundamental science with practical engineering applications to address critical environmental challenges.