Robert Nairn

Environmental Scientist and University professor. Based on over 30 years of experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, I also provide environmental consulting services on select projects. My teaching, research, and service activities are applied, community-engaged, and oriented toward service-learning. I consider my greatest professional accomplishment to be the 55 graduate students that I have advised to completion in my first 25 years at the University of Oklahoma. Teaching: Both undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental science and environmental engineering, currently including Ecological Engineering Science, Wetlands Science and Management, Watershed Management and Restoration, Environmental Biology and Ecology, and Environmental Science/Engineering Senior Capstone, among others.Research: Natural Infrastructure, Engineering With Nature, Nature-Based Solutions, Ecological Engineering. Focus on sustainable ecosystem-based approaches to water quality improvement, emphasizing ecological engineering, watershed biogeochemistry and restoration. Specialties in mine water biogeochemistry; passive treatment system design, evaluation and optimization; linkages between remediation (e.g., water quality improvement) and restoration (e.g., habitat and biological recovery). Extensive work in the Appalachians, Arkoma Basin, Tri-State Lead-Zinc Mining District (including the Tar Creek Superfund Site), Bolivian Andes and elsewhere. Service: Community-engaged activities closely aligned with numerous local, state, federal and tribal entities; served as president of three non-profit organizations (Watershed Restoration, Inc., Engineers in Action and American Society of Mining and Reclamation (ASMR)); editorial board member for four scientific journals (Ecological Engineering, Mine Water and the Environment, Reclamation Sciences, Water); member of numerous local and state task forces, working groups and committees focused on environmental issues.