PEOPLE

Research Mentors

   Ferdi Hellweger

    Phone:  (617) 373-3992

    Email:  ferdi@coe.neu.edu

    Webpage

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

Research Interests:

Urban hydrology - the movement of water and associated constituents through urban systems. Locally, interested in the Charles River and wants to contribute to making it swimmable again. Dr Hellweger's goal is to build a forecast system that can be used to predict when & where it is safe to swim.

   Vladimir Novotny

    Phone:  (617) 373-2005

    Email:  novotny@coe.neu.edu

    Webpage

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

Diffuse (Nonpoint) Pollution, Water Quality Management, Total Maximum Daily Loads, Restoration, Socio-economic Issues of Water Quality Abatement.

Student Researchers

    Jen Forbes

    Email:  N/A

    Affiliation:  NU, Environmental Sciences

    Sponsor:  NSF

Project Title:  Cyanobacteria in the Charles River

Project Abstract:

Coming soon!

Product(s): Coming soon

    Kelly Crawford

    Email:  N/A

    Affiliation:  NU, Environmental Sciences

    Sponsor:  NSF

Project Title:  Cyanobacteria in the Charles River

Project Abstract:

Coming soon!

Product(s): Coming soon

    Christopher Leitao

    Email:  N/A

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  City of Boston, Town of Brookline, State of MA

Project Title:  Muddy River Water Quality

Project Abstract:

Coming soon!

Product(s): Coming soon

    Danson Njoka

    Email:  N/A

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  City of Boston, Town of Brookline, State of MA

Project Title:  Muddy River Water Quality

Project Abstract:

Coming soon!

Product(s): Coming soon

    Ricky Adams

    Email:  N/A

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  City of Boston, Town of Brookline, State of MA

Project Title:  Muddy River Water Quality

Project Abstract:

Coming soon!

Product(s): Coming soon

    Nathan Chase

    Email:  N/A

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  NU Provost

Project Title:  Quorum Sensing in the Environment

Project Abstract:

Coming soon!

Product(s): Coming soon

    Kaitlin Vacca

    Email:  N/A

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  NU Provost

Project Title:  Effect of Green Roofs on Groundwater

Project Abstract:

Coming soon!

Product(s): Coming soon

    Shaina Glidden

    Email:  sglidden@coe.neu.edu

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  NU Provost

Project Title:  Correlations between Bacteria Concentration in the Charles River and Waterfowl Population

Project Abstract:

The aim of this research is to determine if there is a correlation between an increasing bacteria concentration in the Charles River and waterfowl population.  Bacteria data obtained by sources, including the MWRA, CWRA, EPA, and research performed by others, will be used.  Also, waterfowl population data taken from available sources will be used.  Other data, which could be relevant in this study, including precipitation and temperature, will be considered.  The data will be plotted on an annually-based scatter plot.  Correlations will be determined based on what is shown on the plots.  It will be best to use data that can be related spatially, but that information may be difficult to obtain.  This source of error in comparing data will be considered.  If findings are favorable to what is expected, the same type of data will be looked at in other areas of concern (i.e. New York Harbor, Mystic River, etc.).

Product(s): Coming soon

    Wellington Hall

    Email:  hall.we@neu.edu

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  NSF/LSAMP

Project Title:  Stony Brook Sewer History

Project Abstract:

Compile data on the sewer system in the Stony Brook watershed.   The data will be compiled in an AutoCAD database, which will then be presented in the form of a poster.

Product(s): PowerPoint Presentation

    Will Miller

    Email:  willmilleriv@hotmail.com

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  NU Provost

Project Title:  Remote Sensing of Water Quality

Project Abstract: Coming soon

Product(s): Coming soon

    Kehinde Sarat Oshodi

    Email: 

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  NSF/LSAMP

Project Title:  Remote Sensing of Water Quality

Project Abstract:

The feasibility of using satellite imagery for water quality studies of the Charles River between the Massachusetts Avenue and Longfellow Bridge was investigated. Turbidity (ground data) was correlated to the red reflectance band of two IKONOS images. The program, ENVI was used to extract red band values. R2 values of .57 and .04 indicate that there is no correlation, implying that the use of satellite imagery for water quality measurements in this study area is not feasible.

Product(s): Paper

    Benny D'Artista

    Email: dartista.b@neu.edu 

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  NEU/Provost

Project Title:  Hydrology in SimCity - A Review

Project Abstract:

SIMCITY 4 allows the user to simulate the creation and management of a city. Hydrology is present in SIMCITY 4 and the amount and accuracy of SIMCITY 4’s hydrologic capabilities will be the subject of this report. First, the history and overview of SIMCITY 4 is provided to give a brief synopsis of the evolution of the game and a description of how the game operates. An overview of hydrology in SIMCITY 4 is given to demonstrate the existing hydrologic capabilities in the game and what the game does not contain. The existing hydrologic capabilities of SIMCITY 4 will be further discussed individually in the report.

Product(s): Paper

    Dave Brown

    Email: brown.david@neu.edu

    Affiliation:  NU, Civil & Environmental

    Sponsor:  -

Project Title:  OUR Charles Web Page Development

Project Abstract:

Develop a web page for the OUR Charles program including a description of the Charles River past and current water quality problems

Product(s): This web page