Varun Paul

Varun Paul serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University, specializing in environmental geology through integrated field and laboratory methodologies. His research addresses critical water and soil environmental concerns using geochemical tools (ICP-OES, SEM), modeling, and statistical analysis to tackle site assessments, contaminant remediation, and climate impacts on soil systems.

Education

• Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology (2014)
• M.S. in Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology (2009)
• B.S. in Biotechnology, St. Peter’s Engineering College, India (2007)

Dr. Paul's research spans water quality assessment, contaminant remediation, soil carbon dynamics under climate change, hydrogeology-geochemistry integration, and microbe-mineral interactions in extreme environments. His work examines soil health, engineering properties of clay, and environmental site assessments through projects like sediment quality evaluation and microbe-mineral studies relevant to Martian subsurface habitability.

Recent publication trends reveal intense focus on soil health assessment methodologies, CO₂ impacts on soil acidification, land use effects on groundwater, and biochar-based remediation. His interdisciplinary approach increasingly incorporates data science techniques like AutoML for soil carbon mapping while maintaining core geochemical investigations into uranium uptake and mineral transformations.

Scientific Recognition

• Community Engaged Learning Excellence Award (MSU)
• Vernier Software & Technology 40th Anniversary Grant
• MDPI Water Topical Advisory Committee
• NASA FINESST/Exobiology Review Panel Member

Dr. Paul actively contributes through the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG) as Secretary of the Lower Mississippi Valley Chapter, Geological Society of America (GSA), and Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI). His teaching portfolio includes advanced hydrogeology (GG 4613/6613, GG 4623/6623), engineering geology (GG 4153/6153), and water resources courses (GG 3613, GG 8633), translating research into classroom applications for sustainable resource management.

His research group conducts investigations in environmental geochemistry and hydrology, with particular emphasis on soil-water interactions, climate change impacts on soil health, and novel remediation materials like magnetite-modified biochar for heavy metal removal.