I am a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Delaware. I received an MA and PhD degrees in Civil Engineering and Operations Research (Water Resources Engineering) from Princeton University, an MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Water Resources Engineering) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BS degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. I worked as a civil engineer for Ashland Oil Company and as a water resources engineer for Meade and Hunt, Inc. Following my PhD, I was a postdoctoral research associate and then research assistant professor in environmental engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

My research focuses on fluid flow and mass transfer in porous media, with a particular emphasis on model development and application. My research has spanned a range of environmental problems, including soil and groundwater remediation, the design of landfill cover systems to enhance oxidation of fugitive landfill gas, and, more recently, the modification of geomedia (e.g., amendment with biochar) in stormwater treatment systems to enhance pollutant removal.

For Prospective Students and PostDocs

I am not currently seeking any graduate students or postdocs. However, my funding situation is constantly in flux. If you are interested in working with me as a student, I encourage you to apply to one of the graduate programs listed below. I am only taking on new graduate students whom I co-advise with other faculty at the University of Delaware.

If you seek a postdoctoral position, I will only consider applicants who currently reside in the US or Canada. While I do not currently have any openings, my situation may change in spring 2026. For that reason, if you are interested in a postdoctoral position for 1 or 2 years, please email me your CV and academic transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable) from your graduate program(s).

Here is an illustration of our recent work.

Graphical abstract from a recent paper illustrating biochar impacts on plant growth, hydrology, and nutrient removal in bioretention media.

Graduate Program to Apply to

• I have advised graduate students concentrating in environmental engineering or water resources engineering within the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Delaware. I have recently advised graduate students in the Interdisciplinary Program in Water Science and Policy, where I am a faculty affiliate. Depending on a student’s background and interests, you may apply to any of these programs to work under my direction.

Current Research Interests

• Modeling the effect of biochar on soil structure and soil hydrology
• Altering urban soils to increase stormwater infiltration and nutrient transformation
• Influence of biochar on plant growth, root structure, and infiltration capacity of soils and engineered geomedia, e.g., bioretention media
• Influence of sea level rise and increasing storm intensity on coastal infrastructure
• Remediation of soils contaminated by spills of fracking fluids released during oil and natural gas extraction
• Greenhouse gas emissions from landfills - measurement, modeling, and control