Martin T. Auer

Martin T. Auer is a Professor in the Civil & Environmental Engineering department at Michigan Technological University, specializing in surface water quality engineering. His career spans teaching, research, and publication in journals like Environmental Science and Technology and Journal of Great Lakes Research.

• PhD in Water Resources Science (University of Michigan, 1979)
• MSc in Environmental Engineering (Syracuse University, 1973)
• BSc in Forest Zoology (SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1972)

Dr. Auer's research focuses on water quality modeling, with emphasis on phosphorus cycling, Cladophora dynamics, bacterioplankton ecology, and sediment diagenesis in lakes. His work integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, and mathematical models to address eutrophication, toxic substances, and nearshore transport in Lake Superior and other Great Lakes.

Recent articles highlight his contributions to understanding nutrient-driven algal blooms, sediment-water interactions, and hydrodynamic impacts on ecosystem structure. His projects often involve interdisciplinary collaborations, such as the KITES initiative examining thermal fronts in Lake Superior.

• James R. Rumsey Award (1982)
• Editorial Board, Journal of Freshwater Ecology (1984)
• Editor's Award, International Association for Great Lakes Research (1990)
• Willard F. Shephard Award (1992)

Dr. Auer has mentored numerous graduate students, co-authored over 55 peer-reviewed papers, and served as co-author of the textbook Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering. His funded projects include NSF-NOAA's KITES study and research with the Upstate Freshwater Institute and New York City Department of Environmental Protection.