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Paul Johnson

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School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Professor
Faculty,
Biography: 

Paul C. Johnson is the 17th president of the Colorado School of Mines and Emeritus Professor of the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. Professor Johnson’s expertise is in soil and groundwater remediation and risk assessment. His work forms the basis for many widely applied technologies and regulatory guidance on risk assessment. His research group received the 2011 Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program Project of the Year Award.  

Professor Johnson was the dean of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering (2011-2015); the executive dean (2006-2011) of Fulton Schools and associate vice president for research for Arizona State University (2004-2006); and the associate dean for research for the Fulton Schools of Engineering (2002-2004). Under Professor Johnson's leadership, the Fulton Schools focused on improving student outcomes and promoting innovative programming and curricula. He established the “Fulton Difference,” which promotes learning beyond traditional coursework, nurtures entrepreneurs and relies on a strong peer-mentoring culture, and the philosophy that students are to be engineers from day one. Before joining ASU in 1994, he was a senior research engineer at the Shell Oil/Shell Chemical Westhollow Technology Center (1987-1994).

Professor Johnson is the co-author of 12. U.S. patents. He's served on the National Research Council Committee on Future Options of the Nation’s Subsurface Remediation Effort. He also served as the editor for the National Ground Water Association’s journal, Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2003-2011) and received the association’s Keith E. Anderson Award in 2011. In recognition of his contributions to the profession, he has received the 2006 AEHS Academic Career Recognition Award and the 2014 Lifetime Award in Remediation sponsored by Brown and Caldwell. In recognition of his contributions to education, Johnson was named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Arizona Professional Engineers Society in 2011 and the Nathan Burbank Environmental Educator of the Year Award in 2014.

CV
Binary Data Curriculum Vitae
Education: 
  • Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Princeton University
  • Master’s degree. Chemical Engineering, Princeton University
  • Bachelor’s degree. Chemical Engineering, University of California-Davis
Research Interests: 

Chemical fate and transport in the subsurface with application to soil and groundwater, monitoring, remediation, and risk assessment

Physical and chemical treatment, and bioremediation of soil and groundwater

Vapor intrusion from contaminated soils and groundwater to buildings and other enclosed spaces

Publications: 

  • Holton, C., Y. Guo, H. Luo, P. Dahlen, K. Gorder, E. Dettenmaier, and P.C. Johnson. 2015. Long-term Evaluation of the Controlled Pressure Method for the Assessment of the Vapor Intrusion Pathway. Environ. Sci. Technol. 49 (4), 2091–2098.

  • Hers, I., P. Jourabchi, M.A. Lahvis, P. Dahlen, H. Luo, P.C. Johnson, G.E. DeVaull, and K.U. Mayer. 2014. Evaluation of Seasonal Factors on Petroleum Hydrocarbon Vapor Biodegradation and Intrusion Potential in a Cold Climate. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation. 34 (4). 60-78.

  • Cavanagh, B.A., P.C. Johnson, and E.J. Daniels. 2014. Reduction of Diffusive Emissions from a Dissolved Source in a Lower Permeability Layer by Sodium Persulfate Treatment. Environ. Sci. Technol. 48 (24). 14582–14589.

  • McAlary, T., H. Groenevelt, S. Seethapathy, P. Sacco, D. Crump, M. Tuday, B. Schumacher,H. Hayes, P. Johnson, and T. Górecki. 2014. Quantitative passive soil vapor sampling for VOCs- part 2: laboratory experiments. Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts. 16. 491-500.

  • McAlary, T., H. Groenevelt, P. Nicholson, S. Seethapathy, P. Sacco, D. Crump, M. Tuday, H. Hayes, B. Schumacher, P. Johnson, T. Górecki and I. Rivera-Duarte. 2014. Quantitative passive soil vapor sampling for VOCs- part 3: field experiments. Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts. 16. 501-510.

  • Ekre, R., P.C. Johnson, B. Rittmann, and R. Krajmalnik-Brown. 2014. Method for Assessing Source Zone Natural Depletion at Chlorinated Aliphatic Spill Sites. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation. doi: 10.1111/gwmr.12049.

  • Clifton, L.M., P. Dahlen, and P.C. Johnson. 2014. Effect of Dissolved Oxygen Manipulation on Diffusive Emissions from NAPL-Impacted Low Permeability Soil Layers. Environ. Sci. Technol. 48, 5127−5135.

  • Holton, C., H. Luo, P. Dahlen, K. Gorder, E. Dettenmaier, and P.C. Johnson. Temporal Variability of Indoor Air Concentrations under Natural Conditions in a House Overlying a Dilute Chlorinated Solvent Groundwater Plume. Environ. Sci. Technol (2013).
  • Luo, H., P.R. Dahlen, P.C. Johnson, T.R. Peargin. Proof-of-Concept Study of an Aerobic Vapor Migration Barrier Beneath a Building at at Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Impacted Site. Environ. Sci. Technol (2013).
  • Leeson, A., H.F. Stroo, and P.C. Johnson. Groundwater Remediation Today and Challenges and Opportunities for the Future. Groundwater (2012).
  • Stroo, H.F., A. Leeson., J.A. Marqusee, P.C. Johnson, C.H. Ward, M.C. Kavanagh, T.C. Sale, C.J. Newell, K.D. Pennell, C.A. LeBron, M. Unger. Chlorinated Ethene Source Remediation: Lessons Learned. Environ. Sci. Technol (2012).
  • Johnson, P.C., C.L. Bruce, K.D. Miller. A Practical Approach to the Design, Monitoring, and Optimization of In Situ MTBE Aerobic Biobarriers. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2010).
  • Kingston, J.T, P.R. Dahlen, and P.C. Johnson. State of the Practice Review of In Situ Thermal Technologies. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2010).
  • Lesser, L.E., P.C. Johnson, G.E. Spinnler, C.L. Bruce, and J.P. Salanitro. Spatial Variation in MTBE Biodegradation Activity of Aquifer Solids Samples Collected in the Vicinity of a Flow-Through Aerobic Biobarrier. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2010).
  • Johnson, P.C., R.A. Ettinger, J.P. Kurtz, R. Bryan, and J.E. Kester. Empirical Assessment of Ground Water–to-Indoor Air Attenuation Factors for the CDOT-MTL Denver Site. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2009).
  • Luo, H., P. Dahlen, P.C. Johnson, T. Peargin, and T. Creamer. Spatial Variability of Soil-Gas Concentrations near and beneath a Building Overlying Shallow Petroleum Hydrocarbon–Impacted Soils. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2009).
  • McAlary, T. and P.C. Johnson. Vapor Intrusion. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2009).
  • Lesser, L.E, P. C. Johnson, R. Aravena, G.E. Spinnler, C.L. Bruce, and J.P. Salanitro. An Evaluation of Compound-Specific Isotope Analyses for Assessing the Biodegradation of MTBE at Port Hueneme, CA. Environmental Science and Technology (2008).
  • Lundegard, P.D., P.C. Johnson, and P. Dahlen. Oxygen Transport from the Atmosphere to Soil Gas Beneath a Slab-on-Grade Foundation Overlying Petroleum-Impacted Soil. Environmental Science and Technology (2008).
  • Odencrantz, J.E., H. O’Neill, S.J. Steinmacher, J.D. Case, and P.C. Johnson. Residential Vapor Intrusion Evaluation: Long-Duration Passive Sampling vs. Short-Duration Active Sampling. Remediation (2008).
  • Xu, Y., L.A. Baker, and P.C. Johnson. Trends in Groundwater Nitrate Contamination in the Phoenix, Arizona, USA Region. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2007).
  • Johnson, P.C., P.D. Lundegard, and Z. Liu. Source Zone Natural Attenuation at Petroleum Hydrocarbon Spill Sites – II: Application to Source Zones at a Former Oil Production Field. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2006).
  • P.Lundegard, P.D., P.C. Johnson, and Z. Liu. Source Zone Natural Attenuation at Petroleum Hydrocarbon Spill Sites – I: Site-Specific Assessment Approach. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation (2006).
  • Abreu, L. and P.C. Johnson. Effect of Vapor Source-Building Separation and Building Construction on Soil Vapor Intrusion as Studied with a Three-Dimensional Numerical Model. Environmental Science and Technology (2005).
  • Abreu, L. and P.C. Johnson. Modeling the Effect of Aerobic Biodegradation on Soil Vapor Intrusion into Buildings - Influence of Degradation Rate, Source Concentration, and Depth. Environmental Science and Technology (2005).
Research Activity: 
Summer 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Spring 2020
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 580Practicum
CHE 592Research
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 792Research
Fall 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CHE 592Research
CHE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 795Continuing Registration
Summer 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Spring 2019
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 580Practicum
CHE 592Research
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 792Research
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CHE 592Research
CHE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 795Continuing Registration
Summer 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 580Practicum
CHE 592Research
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 792Research
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CHE 592Research
CHE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 795Continuing Registration
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 580Practicum
CHE 592Research
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 792Research
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CHE 592Research
CHE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 795Continuing Registration
Summer 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Spring 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CHE 592Research
CEE 592Research
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Fall 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
CEE 492Honors Directed Study
CEE 493Honors Thesis
CEE 499Individualized Instruction
CEE 580Practicum
CEE 590Reading and Conference
CEE 592Research
CHE 592Research
CHE 593Applied Project
CEE 595Continuing Registration
CHE 599Thesis
CEE 599Thesis
CEE 790Reading and Conference
CEE 792Research
CEE 795Continuing Registration
CEE 799Dissertation
Presentations: 
  • Johnson, P.C., Holton, C., H. Luo, Y. Guo, P. Dahlen, K. Gorder, E. Dettenmaier. Multi-Year Monitoring of a House Over a Dilute CHC Plume: Implications for Pathway Assessment Using Indoor Air Sampling and Forced Under-Pressurization Tests. USEPA Workshop on Addressing Regulatory Challenges in Vapor Intrusion: A State of the Science Update (Mar 2013).
  • Holton, C., H. Luo, Y. Guo, P. Dahlen, K. Gorder, E. Dettenmaier, P. C. Johnson. Evaluation of Selected Environmental Factors at a Vapor Intrusion Study Site. The 23nd Annual International Conference on Soil, Water, Energy and Air. San Diego, CA (Mar 2013).
  • Johnson, P.C., H. Luo, C. Holton, Y. Guo, P. Dahlen, K. Gorder, E. Dettenmaier. Vapor Intrusion Above a Dilute CHC Plume: Lessons-Learned from Two Years of Monitoring. AEHS 22nd Annual Meeting and West Coast Conference on Soils, Sediments, Water (Mar 2012).
  • Johnson, P.C., P. Dahlen, H. Luo, C. Holton, K. Gorder, E. Dettenmaier. Temporal Changes in VI Behavior: Considerations for Pathway Assessment. U. Washington/USEPA Superfund Research Center (Jun 2011).
  • Johnson, P.C. and E. Nichols. Measurement and Control of Subsurface Contaminant Discharge and Its Use in Decision-Making. REMTECH (May 2011).
  • Johnson, Paul. Subsurface Vapor to Indoor Air Pathway Assessment: Lessons-Learned and Challenges for the Future. 6th State of Washington Hydrology Symposium (May 2007).
  • Johnson, Paul, Abreu, L. Advances in the Modeling of Vapor Migration to Buildings. Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments & Water
  • Johnson, Paul. Vapor Intrusion – Lessons Learned Through Numerical Simulation. 15th Annual AEHS Meeting and International Conference on Soils, Sediments & Water
  • Johnson, Paul. Field Studies of Oxygen and Hydrocarbon Vapor Transport Beneath and Around Buildings Located Over NAPL Sources. 16th Annual AEHS Meeting and International Conference on Soils, Sediments & Water
Service: 
  • Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Dean (2011 - 2015)
  • Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, Executive Dean (2006 - Present)
  • Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, Editor-in-Chief (2003 - Present)
  • International Journal of Soil Contamination, Editorial Advisory Board, Member (1996 - Present)
  • Journal of Bioremediation, Associate Editor (1996 - Present)
  • Arizona State University, Associate Vice President (2004 - 2006)
  • Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, Interim Dean (2006)
  • DOE SERDP Program, (2005)
  • CEAS, Associate Dean – Research (2003 - 2004)
  • CEAS, Interim Associate Dean – Research (2002 - 2003)
  • CEE Scholarship Committee, Member (2001 - 2003)
  • ASCE Student Chapter, Advisor (2001 - 2002)
  • CEE Self-Study Committee, Member (2001 - 2002)
  • CEAS Dean’s Personnel Advisory Committee, Chair (2000 - 2002)
  • CEAS ECE-100 Curriculum Committee, Member (2000 - 2002)
  • Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Associate Chair – Graduate Programs (2000 - 2002)
  • CEE Advisory Committee, Member (1999 - 2002)
  • Arizona UST Technical Appeals Board, Governor Appointment (1998 - 2002)
  • ADEQ Ground Water Study Working Group, Member (1999 - 2000)
  • CEAS Dean’s Personnel Advisory Committee, Member (1999 - 2000)
  • Arizona Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF) Advisory Panel, Governor Appointment (1997 - 2000)
  • CEAS Research Committee, Member (1998 - 1999)
  • CEE, Chair (1997 - 1999)
  • Groundwater Remediation Technologies Analysis Center, Guidance Committee, Member (1995 - 1998)
  • Advanced Applied Technology Demonstration Facility (DoD - AATDF) Program - Advisory Committee, Member (1994 - 1998)
  • Arizona Groundwater Clean-up Standards Task Force, Member (1996 - 1997)
  • CEE Faculty Search Committee, Chair (1996 - 1997)
  • American Society for Testing and Materials, Risk-Based Corrective Action for Superfund and Self-Directed Cleanups Task Group, Co-Chairman (1995 - 1997)
  • Department of Energy/Department of Defense - AATDF Program, Proposal Reviewer (1993 - 1997)
  • Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director’s Advisory Panel on Soil Clean-up Standards, Member (1996)
  • USEPA OUST Program, Proposal Reviewer (1994 - 1995)
  • National Science Foundation - Directorate for Geosciences, Proposal Reviewer (1993)
  • ASCE Journal of Environmental Engineering, Journal Referee (Present)
  • Bioremediation Journal, Journal Referee (Present)
  • Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Journal Referee (Present)
  • Environmental Engineering Science, Journal Referee (Present)
  • Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Referee (Present)
  • Ground Water, Journal Referee (Present)
  • Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, Journal Referee (Present)
  • International Journal of Bioremediation, Journal Referee (Present)
  • National Ground Water Association, Member (Present)
  • Separation Science and Technology, Journal Referee (Present)
  • Soils, Journal Referee, Associate Editor (Present)
  • Water Environment Research, Journal Referee (Present)
  • Water Resources Research, Journal Referee (Present)