Hydrogeology Research

Laurence Gill is a Professor in Environmental Engineering in the School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin. His research interests involve studying the fate and transport of both air and water-borne pollutants in the natural and built environment, as well as the development of passive treatment processes. Much of the work involves extensive field studies which are then used to develop mathematical models to gain further insight into the processes. Prior to joining at Trinity College in 1999, he spent several years working in the UK water industry on the design of water and wastewater treatment processes for urban populations.

Dr. Liwen Xiao received his PhD degree at NUI Galway and worked as a lecturer there before joining the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at TCD as Assistant Professor in 2013. Since joining TCD, Dr Xiao has continued his research work in the following areas: (1) sustainable treatment of wastewater, (2) emerging contaminants (microplastics, antibiotics) detection and removal and (3) impacts of human activities on water quality and ecology. He currently has 4 PhD students in his research group and is involved in a number of research projects funded by national and international funding agencies. Dr Xiao is a college tutor and a deputy director of the research centre TrinityHaus. He is the director of MSc in Engineering

Dr Misstear is an Adjunct Professor in hydrogeology and environmental engineering at Trinity College Dublin, and Fellow Emeritus. His recent research topics include effects of climate change on groundwater recharge, impacts of domestic wastewater treatment systems on water quality in private wells, water pollution pathways, sustainable groundwater development in Africa, and impacts of transportation options on air quality. He is currently researching the hydrogeology of Irish holy wells. Dr Misstear is the author or co-author of over 150 publications, including the international textbook "Water Wells and Boreholes" (the 2nd edition was published in 2017). Dr Misstear served as the university's first Dean of Students between 2003 and 2007, when he was involved in the strategic development of student services and accommodation services for the university's 15,000 student population.

 

Previously worked for 18 years as a consultant hydrogeologist, becoming head of the Groundwater Department of Consulting Engineer Mott MacDonald and a Director of the firm's Environment and Water Resources Division. Professional experience includes water resources and environmental projects in Ireland, UK, Oman, Czechoslovakia, Bahrain, Sudan, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Nigeria.

 

Dr Misstear is both a Chartered Geologist and Chartered Engineer. He was elected a Vice President of the International Association of Hydrogeologists in 2012 and served as Secretary General between 2016 and 2020. In 2020, he received the Presidents' award of the IAH. This award is given annually to a person who has made outstanding international contributions to groundwater science and to furthering IAH's mission to promote understanding and management of groundwater resources for the benefit of humankind and the environment.