Osman Karatum

Osman Karatum is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), part of the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering. He joined FGCU in 2019 after postdoctoral work at Virginia Tech and professional experience at Exponent, a scientific consulting firm. His research focuses on water quality, novel materials like aerogels for oil spill remediation, and wastewater characterization from oil and gas operations. Karatum holds a BS in Food Engineering from Ege University (Turkey), an MS and PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Duke University, and conducted doctoral research at Yale University.

His research interests span environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, and sustainability. He has developed smart materials for water treatment and conducted life cycle assessments to evaluate economic and environmental feasibility of advanced technologies. His work on non-thermal plasma for VOC treatment (during his MS) and aerogel innovations for oil recovery reflects his interdisciplinary approach. At Exponent, he contributed to environmental litigation cases, applying his expertise to real-world legal challenges.

Key research themes include oil spill response strategies, hydraulic fracturing wastewater analysis, and aerogel applications in industrial and environmental contexts. Karatum’s academic contributions bridge fundamental science and practical solutions for environmental challenges, emphasizing sustainable materials and pollution mitigation.

Professional affiliations include the American Society of Civil Engineering and the American Chemical Society. His work has been published in top journals, addressing topics from aerogel composites to groundwater contamination linked to shale gas operations.