Environmental Institute director named

David Reckhow

avid Reckhow, professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been appointed director of The Environmental Institute by interim Vice Chancellor for Research Frederick W. Byron. The appointment is retroactive to Sept. 1.

     "We are very fortunate that David has accepted the position of TEI director and believe his appointment will bring leadership and new energy to the institute, expanding the number and scope of multidisciplinary environmental initiatives and new research opportunities in environmental research and education on the Amherst campus," said Byron.

     Byron also thanked Richard Taupier, who guided the institute over the past two transitional years and who will continue to serve as associate director.

     "I'm excited about the opportunities that exist right now in some key areas of environmental research," said Reckhow. "With the unique talents that reside in the UMass research community, we are in an excellent position to take a leading role in many of these areas. My goal is for TEI to serve as a catalyst in helping to bring new resources to campus so that the researchers can spend more of their time generating new knowledge, useful products or creative insights."

     Reckhow has been a part of the Civil and Environmental Engineering faculty since 1985.

     Prior to coming to the University he was a postdoctoral research associate with the Compagnie Générale des Eaux in Paris. His research interests include chemical oxidation of pollutants in water, coagulation processes, and natural organic matter in surface waters and drinking waters. He has a special interest in organic disinfection byproducts and ozonation processes for drinking water treatment.

     Reckhow served for several years as the North American editor of the international journal, Ozone: Science and Engineering. He also co-authored the widely used reference book, "Ozone in Water Treatment: Application and Engineering." Reckhow has authored dozens of journal articles on water treatment and environmental chemistry, some of which have been recognized with national and international publication awards. He is also the recipient of a Presidential Young Investigator Award. He regularly serves as a consultant to industry and the federal government and has collaborated with faculty across academic departments and centers on multidisciplinary environmental research.

     Reckhow received his Ph.D. in environmental science and engineering from the University of North Carolina. He earned his M.S. from Stanford University and his B.S. from Tufts University, both in civil engineering.