Vanderbilt University School of Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering

Eugene J. LeBoeuf

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Office:	Room 278, Jacobs Hall
Address:	Vanderbilt University VU Station B-35 1831 Nashville, TN 37235-1831
Phone:	(615) 343-7070
Fax:	615/322-3365
Email:	eugene.j.leboeuf@vanderbilt.edu

Physicochemical processes, water security, and bioinformatics of environmental systems each comprise separate but closely interrelated efforts in my research program. The underlying theme connecting each area is the discovery of new information and application of novel methods in physical, chemical, and biological processes for improved understanding of contaminant fate and transformation, which forms the basis for evaluation of human health and ecological effects of contaminants in the environment. Soil and sediment physical and chemical structure is known to significantly influence the mobility of pollutants. My interest in how these structures impact the availability of contaminants to present a risk to potential receptors motivates my research thrust in physicochemical processes. The vulnerability of water supply infrastructure systems to accidental or intentional contamination posses a serious concern to the U.S. and other countries. My efforts in water security include evaluation of novel vulnerability assessment methods and deployment of new information technologies founded in civil and environmental engineering principles to help protect our nation’s water supply from future contamination. A critical need in water security is development of sensors to detect contamination events. My research includes investigating development of an array of biological informatics sensors to assess the potential for protozoa to act as scavengers and refuges for pathogens in the environment. My research in bioinformatics also includes development of novel microfluidic devices to study predator-prey interactions between protozoa and bacteria. Experiments with these devices are elucidating the physical behavior of biological systems, and how this behavior impacts the ability for bacteria to degrade pollutants. This effort further assists us in answering fundamental questions regarding availability of contaminants in the environment.

Education:

B.S., (magna cum laude) Civil Engineering, May 1985
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana
M.S., Industrial Engineering and Management Science, August 1986
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
M.S., Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering and Science), June 1993
Stanford University, Stanford, California
Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, May 1998
The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Research Interests:

Physical and Chemical Processes in Environmental Systems
Contaminant Transport in the Environment
Water Security
Water Resources Engineering
Bioinformatics of Environmental Systems
Geographic Information Systems
Management, Containment, and Disposal of Polluted Dredged Material
Environmental Management
Systems Engineering and Engineering Management
Military Engineering
Engineering Education