Dr. Loring F. Nies

Picture of Dr. Loring F. Nies

Mailing Address

Purdue University
School of Civil Engineering
550 Stadium Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051

Office: CIVL 3145C
Phone: (765) 494-8327
E-mail: nies@purdue.edu
Website: http://bridge.ecn.purdue.edu/~nies/

Professional Preparation

Research Focus

Research interests include learning how to optimize the future capacities of our interdependent urban infrastructure systems and the molecular genetic characterization of the structure and function of microbial communities. Urban systems will play a pivotal role in future economic development and globalization and they must be must be robust, resilient, secure and sustainable. Dr. Nies is the leader of the “Capacity Vitalization of Megacities” initiative launched through the Discovery Park Center for the Environment at Purdue University. Dr. Nies’ group also develops molecular genetic tools to assess the effects of anthropogenic chemicals on microbial communities. These tools can be used to evaluate and monitor the progress of bioremediation projects by quantifying catabolic genes or investigate the potential toxic impacts of new chemicals. His teaching interests include the development of the first sustainable engineering course at Purdue University. More than 390 undergraduate students from Engineering, Science, Agriculture, Liberal Arts, Technology and Health Sciences have completed Engineering Environmental Sustainability.

Primary Focus for this Study

Dr. Nies is an environmental engineer with expertise in microbiology and the fate and transport of environmental contaminants.  He will develop Hypothesis 2 with Dr. Turco.  Turco and Nies are responsible for all aerobic microcosms, PLFA and DGGE analyses, Molecular probe assays, and 14C additions and for anaerobic microcosms

Synergistic Activities