Environmental Engineer Is Named Associate Dean at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- John E. Van Benschoten, Ph.D., professor of civil, structural and environmental engineering at the University at Buffalo, has been named associate dean for undergraduate education in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

In his new post, he will have responsibility for matters relating to undergraduate engineering curriculum, accreditation, recruiting, admissions, advisement, retention and articulation, as well as student clubs, outreach and activities such as open house and commencement.

A UB faculty member since 1988, Van Benschoten has served as director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, and has been involved in a number of undergraduate curricular initiatives at UB.

He teaches courses and conducts research in wastewater treatment, physical and chemical treatment processes for water and hazardous waste, remediation of contaminated soils and potable water treatment.

His funded research projects include development of mathematical models of surface adsorption processes with application to soil and groundwater remediation. He also has conducted research in potable water treatment, including coagulation processes, taste-and-odor-causing compounds, membrane filtration and the use of oxidants to control invasive species, such as zebra mussels.

Research papers he has co-authored have received the Rudolph Hering Medal from the American Society of Civil Engineers and a best-paper award from the American Water Works Association.

Van Benschoten lives in Lockport.