ERDC Researchers Promoted to Senior Level Positions

Five researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., were recently promoted through Army-wide competition to a senior level in government.

Drs. Craig Fischenich, Steve Larson, Kurt Getsinger, and Paul Schroeder of the Environmental Laboratory and Dr. Steve Maynord of the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory were promoted to the level of DB-V, the highest research level at the ERDC.

ERDC is the premier research and development facility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and includes seven laboratories at four geographical sites with over 2,000 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities, and an annual research program exceeding $570 million. It enhances the nation's technical capability by conducting research to support the military and civil works mission areas for the Department of Defense and the nation.

Dr. Craig Fischenich is an international expert in the application of geomorphology, ecology and environmental engineering to water resource projects. He has analyzed, designed and constructed more than 300 stream restoration, streambank stabilization, habitat enhancement and flood control projects in several countries and more than 30 states and serves as the Corps' principal investigator in these technical areas. He has also directed the development of wetlands engineering guidance, criteria for the evaluation and enhancement of aquatic habitat in channels, and techniques for assessing resistance in vegetated floodways.

Fischenich earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in environmental engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and a doctorate in hydraulics from Colorado State University. He is a registered professional engineer in three states, is a member of 12 international or national professional society committees, and is chair or a member of nine federal agency technical committees.

Dr. Steve Larson is a research chemist specializing in the study of the interaction between natural organic matter and environmental contaminants, explosives and metal ion sequestration by humic acids; and contaminant/soil interactions and their effects on bioavailability, treatability, mobiliy, and toxicity.

Larson earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Davidson College and his doctorate in physical/inorganic chemistry from Colorado State University. He is a member of the American Chemical Society and the Colorado Association of Science Teachers and is an adjunct professor at the Mississippi College Chemistry Graduate School.

Dr. Kurt Getsinger is a research biologist involved in the study of biology, ecology and the management of aquatic plants with an emphasis on the chemical control of submersed, floating and emergent exotic plant species. He is the leader of the Chemical Control and Physiological Processes team at the ERDC.

Getsinger earned bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from Campbell University and East Carolina University, respectively. He holds a doctorate in plant physiology from Clemson University and is past president of the Aquatic Plant Management Society. He is an active member of several national scientific societies and serves on the board of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, and he chairs the Federal Aquatic Herbicide Working Group and the Technical Advisory Committee of the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation.

Dr. Paul Schroeder is a research civil engineer whose areas of expertise include dredged material management and disposal, soil and hazardous waste disposal, landfill design and water balance analysis, and engineering software development.

He earned his bachelor's degree in civil/environmental engineering from the University of Illinois, a master's in environmental and water resources engineering from Vanderbilt University, and his doctorate in civil/environmental engineering from Ohio State University. Schroeder is a member of several professional organizations and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Mississippi.

Dr. Steve Maynord is a hydraulic engineer whose areas of specialization are hydraulic structures, bank protection with particular emphasis on riprap design, physical modeling, and the effects of navigation on the environment. His navigation studies include the effects of waves from recreational boats, entrainment of larval fish through towboat propellers, and deep draft ship effects on channel stability.

Maynord received his doctorate in civil engineering from Colorado State University. He has received numerous awards for his research efforts and has served as an associate editor with the American Society of Civil Engineers since 1997.