Robert M. Handler

Robert M. Handler
"Only in the present do things happen"
—Jorge Luis Borges

Contact

  • Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
  • Affiliated Assistant Professor, CEGE and Social Sciences
  • Faculty Advisor, Green Campus Enterprise
  • PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa
  • BA, Chemistry, Gustavus Adolphus College

Biography

I completed my PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iowa, with a research focus on applications of nanoscale iron oxide chemistry in groundwater remediation. I then decided to take a postdoctoral position with the Michigan Tech Sustainable Futures Institute as a way to broaden my perspectives and learn more about new advances in sustainable engineering.  This position led to several years as a research engineer, where I was able to get involved in a variety of research and education initiatives, focusing mainly on using environmental life cycle assessment methods to evaluate new technologies in alternative energy, materials and manufacturing, and other areas. As an assistant professor, I am involved in a variety of research and teaching initiatives that involve sustainability assessment and life cycle thinking.

Courses

  • ENG 4515/5515 Introduction to Sustainability and Resilience
  • ENG 4525/5525 Systems Analysis for Sustainability and Resilience
  • CM 3980 Sustainable Chemical Engineering
  • Green Campus Enterprise

Research Interests

  • Life-cycle assessment
  • Sustainability and resilience
  • Food, Energy, and Water systems
  • Sustainable materials and manufacturing
  • Ecosystem services
  • Aquaponics and hydroponics