Mason Tomson

Professor Mason Tomson is a faculty member at Rice University's Civil and Environmental Engineering department, specializing in chemical fate/transport mechanisms and mineral scale inhibition. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry (1972) and a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics (1967). His research focuses on environmental chemical processes, nanoparticle impacts, and sustainable energy solutions. With an h-index of 64 and 17,000+ citations, he has authored over 500 articles and secured $40M+ in research funding.

Professor Tomson has advised over 50 graduate students and contributed to university governance through roles on committees like Student Health, Safety, and Undergraduate Admissions. His innovations include pioneering studies on molecular carriers for chemical transport and nanotechnology applications recognized by Forbes and The New York Times. Collaborations include joint initiatives with Nankai University (China) and Macao University to advance sustainable environmental practices.

His research encompasses mineral scale formation kinetics, CO2 corrosion effects, and PFAS mineralization via flash Joule heating. Key contributions include developing inhibition strategies for calcite, barite, and sulfide scales, extending oil well lifetimes through novel scale inhibitors, and reducing hydraulic fracturing water usage. His work bridges fundamental chemical principles with applied engineering solutions for energy and environmental challenges.