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About Joel Gerard Burken, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, F.AEESP

Dr. Joel Gerard Burken received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1996, where he conducted some of the initial research on phytoremediation. He has been at Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri--Rolla) since 1997. He currently serves as Chair and Curators' Distinguished Professor of the Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department, and is a member of the US EPA Science Advisory Board. Dr. Burken has also held temporary positions at: EAWAG in Zurich Switzerland (research intern), at the National Environment Research Institute (NERI) in Denmark (visiting researcher and OECD Fellow) and at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand as an Erskine Fellow.

Dr. Burken's research has focused upon low impact and natural treatment systems since 1991. In that time, terms of sustainable-remediation, green infrastructure, and green-remediation have evolved and now promote the same fundamental aspects surrounding water quality and water resource management. His research in phytoremediation of organic contaminants and pioneering work in Phytoforensics have led to over 84 publications, a patented environmental assessment method, and international recognition with multiple research, teaching and service awards. This recognition includes twice winning the ASCE Rudolf Hering Medal, an NSF Career award, and being appointed a Fellow of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP).

Dr. Burken has received the highest Missouri S&T awards for teaching, service, advising and has received the Faculty Excellence award 7 times. Dr. Burken was appointed as a Distinguished Curator's professor at Missouri S&T in 2015. His publications include 6 articles cited over 100 times each, and one article that was highlighted in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) journal, Science.

CREE Senior Research Investigator

Positions

2016 - Present Department Chair, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‐ Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
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2015 - Present Curators’ Distinguished Professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‐ Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
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Present Faculty Researcher, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‐ Center for Science, Technology, and Society (CSTS)
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Present Senior Research Investigator, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‐ Center for Research in Energy and Environment (CREE)
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2015 - 2016 Interim Department Chair, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‐ Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
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2013 - 2016 Director, Environmental Research Center, Missouri University of Science and Technology
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2010 - 2015 Associate Chair, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‐ Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
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2008 - 2015 Professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‐ Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
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2002 - 2008 Associate Professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‐ Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
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1997 - 2002 Assistant Professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‐ Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
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Curriculum Vitae

Disciplines

Research Interests

Grants

2016 - 2019 Plant Uptake of Emerging and Fugitive Compounds: A Sustainable Approach to Exposure Assessment
National Science Foundation (U.S.)
$332,880
2016 - 2017 Collaborative Data Assessment & Phytoforensic Analysis for Organic Leachate Pollutants, US Forest Service
United States Forest Service
Role: Principal Investigator
$75,712
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2021 - Present Chair, Department Heads’ Coordinating Council for ASCE
Present Member, American Association for Advancement of Science
Present Member, American Chemical Society (ACS)
Present Member, American Society for Engineering Education
Present Member, American Society of Civil Engineering
Present Member, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors
Present Member, Chi Epsilon
Present Member, International Phytotechnologies Society
Present Member, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Present Member, Tau Beta Pi (Eminent Scholar)
Present Member, Water Environment Federation
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Honors and Awards

  • Outstanding Faculty/Practitioner Advisor, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) regional award, 2020
  • American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) – Science, Award 2017 (1 annually)
  • Fellow – Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, (AEESP), class of 2016
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chartered Science Advisory Board (appointed by U.S. EPA Administrator) 2016 - 2022
  • Distinguished Service Award – International Phytotechnologies Society 2016
  • Chapter Honor Member - Chi Epsilon 2016 (civil engineering national honors society)
  • University of Western Cape, South Africa - University of Missouri South African Education Program - Summer research exchange July 2017
  • Erskine Fellow 2014: University of Canterbury, Christchurch New Zealand
  • Distinguished Service Award: Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) 2012
  • 1st prize NICOLE Technology Award 2012 Network for Industrially Contaminated Land in Europe for Project “Pollution Identification in Trees”, PI Jean Christoph Balouet. JG Burken Co-PI and Steering Committee
  • Board Certified Environmental Engineering BCEE, American Academy of Environmental Engineering, 2011
  • Board of Directors Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) 2008 – 2012. Elected by board to serve as Vice President - President Elect - President: 2009 - 2012
  • Board of Directors Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Foundation (AEESPF) 2011 - 2014
  • Invited attendee: DOE 2010 Science and Energy Challenge (SEARCH Program) Argonne National Lab
  • Milton P. Gordon Award for Excellence in Phytoremediation (1 annually), (2019)
  • Named Curators’ Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, (2015)
  • University of Missouri System President’s Award for Service, (2015)
  • Best Paper Award (Matt Limmer & Joel Burken): 9th International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant, Battelle, (2013)
  • Alumni Merit Award, Missouri S&T, (2012)
  • Seven Missouri University of Science and Technology/UMR Faculty Excellence Awards, (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2014)
  • Conference Chair, 6th International Phytotechnologies Conference, (2009) http://phyto.mst.edu
  • Missouri Waste Control Coalition Outstanding Achievement in Education, (2008)
  • ASEEP Outstanding Teaching in Environmental Engineering and Science Award, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science, (2007)
  • Two time recipient, Rudolph Hering Medals for the Most Valuable Contribution to the Environmental Branch of Engineering, ASCE, (2007, 1998)
  • School of Engineering Missouri S&T Most Outstanding Advisor Award, (2007)
  • OECD Research Fellowship (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-Paris) conducted at Danish National Environment Research Institute, (2005)
  • Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, National Science Foundation, (2000)

Courses

  • Phytoremediation and natural treatment systems
  • Engineering Communications CE/ArchE 003
  • Introduction to Environmental Engineering CE/EnvE 261
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment CE 265
  • Remediation of Contaminated Soil and Groundwater CE/EnvE 361
  • Environmental Systems Modeling CE/EnvE 364
  • Sanitary Design CE/EnvE 369
  • Senior Design CE/EnvE 298
  • Solid Waste Management CE/EnvE 363
  • Water Resources Engineering CE/EnvE 380
  • Public Health Engineering CE/EnvE 362

Education

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1996 Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and Science (EES), University of Iowa
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1993 M.S. in Environmental Engineering and Science (EES), University of Iowa
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1991 B.S. with Honors in Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE), University of Iowa
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Links

Contact Information

Missouri University of Science and Technology
211C Butler-Carlton Hall
1401 N. Pine St.
Rolla, MO 65409-0030
 
Phone: (573) 341-6547

Email:

ORCID

UGRC (41)