Contact
Research Director
Geotechnical Research Centre
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Spencer Engineering Building
Room SEB 3029
Western University
Tel: 519-661-2111 ext. 84154
jgerhard@eng.uwo.ca
RESTORE Research Group
Students Supervised
Master's Students
- Lais Trento, 2015 – 2017, ‘Geophysical mapping of subsurface remediation at a field site’. Applying SP and ERT techniques on a field site undergoing remediation. Collaborator: P. Tsourlos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. NSERC IPS. Booker Award 2016. Geosyntec Paper Award 2017. Current Position: CH2MHill, Brazil.
- Gavin Overbeeke, 2014 – 2016. ‘Microbial repopulation following In Situ STAR remediation’. Collaborator: Dr. Elizabeth Edwards, University of Toronto. Current Position: Environmental Engineer, AEL Environment Ltd.
- Rebecca Solinger, 2014 – 2016. ‘STAR numerical modelling of field remediation’. Modelling upscaling for field implementation of STAR technology. Collaborator: G. Grant, Savron Ltd. Current Position: Environmental Engineer, Geosyntec Consultants Ltd. Queen Eliz II Scholarship. Chung Award 2015. Collaborative E&S Award of Excellence.
- Laura Kinsman (2012–2016), "Upscaling relationships for STAR technology." Laboratory research to better understand STAR technology across multiple scales. Collaborator: J.L. Torero, University of Queensland. Current Position: Project Engineer, Savron Remediation Ltd.
- Tarek Rashwan (2013–2015), "Innovative management of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants using smouldering." Laboratory experiments proving the concept and mapping the parameter space for this novel concept. Collaborator: G. Grant, Geosyntec Consultants. Current Position: PhD student, Western University.
- Mehrnoosh Ebrahimzadeh (2012–2015), "Self-potential for monitoring self-sustaining treatment for active remediation (STAR)." Western University, 97 p. Collaborator: P. Tsourlos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Grant Scholes (2010–2013), "Ignition method development and first field demonstration of in situ smouldering remediation." Western University, 146 p. Collaborator: D. Major. Current Position: Project Engineer, Geosyntec Consultants.
- Tanzeer Hasan (2010–2013), "Multidimensional smouldering for remediation: experiments and modelling." Western University, 181 p. Collaborator: G. Rein, Imperial College London. Current Position: Lecturer, Dhaka University.
- Clayton Inculet (2009–2012), "Impact of varying groundwater flow direction on monitoring well concentrations downgradient of DNAPL source zones." Western University, 272 p., Collaborator: B. Kueper, Queen’s University. Current position: Student at School of Medicine, Dublin.
- Madiha Salman (2009–2012), "Remediating chlorinated solvents via STAR: vegetable oil smouldering". Western University, 118 p. Current Position: PhD student, Western University.
- Stephanie MacPhee (2007–2010), "Numerical Modelling of smouldering combustion for remediation of NAPL-contaminated soils." Western University, 150 p. Current Position: Project Engineer with CH2MHill (Ontario).
Master's Students (Co-supervisor)
- Stephanie Drake (2008-2010),"Wettability characterization of diesel fuels of two different origins." Western University, 96 p. Co-supervisor: Dr. D. O'Carroll. Current Position: Research Assistant, Western University, Current position: Project Engineer with WorleyParsons (Canada).
- Ian Molnar (2007-2009),"The wettability of a DNAPL/surfactant solution on quartz and iron oxide surfaces," Western University 82 p. Co-supervisor: Dr. D. O'Carroll. Current Position: PhD student, Western University.
- Sasha Richards (2004-2006), "Numerical modelling of waterflooding to recover DNAPLs in unconsoidated porous media," Queen's University (Canada), 184 p. Current Position: Project Engineer with Golder Associates (Canada).
PhD Students
- Chris Power (2008–2014), "Electrical resistivity tomography for mapping subsurface remediation." Western University, 232 p., Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Cape Breton University.
- Paolo Pironi (2005–2009), "Smouldering combustion of organic liquids in porous media for remediating NAPL-contaminated soils." University of Edinburgh (UK), 159 p. Current Position: Research Engineering, University of Edinburgh (UK).
- TiWee Pang (2005-2009), "Investigations of DNAPL remediation in fractured porous media." University of Edinburgh (UK), 445 p. Current Position: Research analyst with OST Securities (Hong Kong).
- Ben Rotter (2003-2007), "Biogeochemical processes influencing the fate of radionuclides in the subsurface." University of Edinburgh (UK), 241 p. Current Position: Project Engineer with Coffey Geotechnical Consultants (Australia).
- Gavin Grant (2002–2005), "The evolution of complex DNAPL releases: Rates of migration and dissolution." University of Edinburgh (UK), 427 p. Current Position: Project Engineer with Geosyntec Consultants Ltd (Canada).
PhD Students (Co-supervisor)
- Ahmed Chowdhury, 2012 – 2016. ‘In situ chemical oxidation enhanced by electrokinetics’. Co-supervisor: Dr. D. O’Carroll. Collaborator: Dr. D. Reynolds, Geosyntec Consultants. Current Position: Lecturer, Islamic University, Bangladesh. NSERC IPS. Soderman Award. Quigley Award.
- Ian Molnar, 2010 – 2015, ‘Exploring nano-silver transport through porous media using synchrotron x-ray tomography’. Co-supervisor: Dr. O’Carroll. Collaborator: Dr. C. Willson, Louisiana State University. Current Position: Post-doctoral Fellow, York University. OGS. Soderman Award, 2012. Booker Award 2013.
Research Engineers (Primary Supervisor)
- Jorge Gabayet, 2015 – 2017. ‘STARx Field Demonstration Project’. Responsible for OCE VIP2 demonstration project. Current Position: Environmental Engineer, Savron.
- Ivo Fabris, 2012 – 2015, ‘Smouldering feces destruction – prototype design, build, test, and optimize.’ Full-time research engineer working on Gates Foundation ‘Reinvent the Toilet’ Challenge project.
- Daniel Cormier, 2015, ‘Smouldering emissions characterization and mitigation.’ Full-time research engineer working on Gates Foundation ‘Reinvent the Toilet’ Challenge project.
- Nizar Mustafa, 2013. ‘Smouldering experiments of feces destruction exploring sensitivity to key parameters.’ Part-time research engineer working on Gates Foundation ‘Reinvent the Toilet’ Challenge project.
Postdoctoral Fellows
- Dr. Ahmed Chowdhury. Electrokinetic-enhanced remediation. Collaborators: Dr. Denis O’Carroll and Dr. Clare Robinson.
- Dr. Ian Molnar, 2016. Nanoparticle transport in porous media. Co-supervisor: Dr. O’Carroll. Current Position: Post-doctoral Fellow, York University. NSERC Postdoctoral Award.
- Dr. Rory Hadden (2011-2013), Western University, Smouldering kinetics of organic liquids in porous media (funded through Ontario Research Fund Grant). Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Edinburgh.
- Dr. Nizar Mustafa (2010-2012), Western University, Simulation of groundwater contamination to off-site receptors (funded through Ministry of environment best in Science grant). Co-supervisor: Dr. D. O'Carroll. Current Position: Research Associate at Western University and Senior Environmental Scientist at JFM Environmental Limited.
- Dr. Paolo Pironi (2009-2012). Western University, STAR remediation technology development (funded through Strategic Grant). Current position: Research Engineer, University of Edinburgh.
- Dr. Kevin Mumford (2009), Western University, Wettability and dissolution of NAPLs in subsurface environments (funded through Strategic Grant); Co-supervisor: Dr. D. O'Carroll. Current Position: Assistant Professor, Queen's University.
- Dr. Irina Kouznetsova (2006-2009), University of Edinburgh, Developing a biogeochemical model for simulating bioremediation within the SABRE Project. Co-supervisor: Dr. Andrew Barry, Ecole Polytechnique Federate de Lausanne. Current Position: maternity leave.
- Dr. Christine Switzer (2005-2008), University of Edinburgh, Project managment of STAR technology development including prototype field experiments in the UK. Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom.
- Dr. Guillermo Rein (2005-2006), University of Edinburgh, Laboratory research and kinetic reactions associated with smouldering combustion for soil remediation. Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Edinburgh.
- Dr. Xiaomin Mao (2004-2006), Univeristy of Edinburgh, Numerical modelling of anaerobic dehalogenation of chloinated solvents. Current Position: Assistant Professor, Agricultural University of China.