Bruce I. Dvorak, Ph.D., P.E. has taught at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Civil Engineering since 1994 in the environmental engineering area. His teaching spans introduction coursework (freshman Introduction to Civil Engineering), multi-disciplinary coursework (Pollution Prevention: Principles and Practices), to specialized graduate coursework (e.g., Physical and Chemical Treatment Processes). He is the Associate Chair of Civil Engineering with responsibilities for the undergraduate and graduate programs. He also has a joint appointment in Biological Systems Engineering, where he provides extension outreach to Nebraska on drinking water and waste minimization issues. He recently received a promotion to "full" professor.

Dr. Dvorak's research and service focus on water quality issues (esp. physical/chemical treatment of water and adsorption processes), applied pollution prevention, methods for enhancing the adoption of sustainability practices by industry. Since 1995, he has obtained grants with total expenditures of more than $5.2 million. He has published over 20 refereed journal papers, 50 conference proceedings, and 30 extension publications. He currently serves as the Chair of the Nebraska Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the as the Chair of the Small Systems Research Committee of AWWA. Dr. Dvorak is the Program Director of the M.S. Environmental Engineering degree.

Dr. Dvorak recently was awarded the 2009 Samuel Arnold Greeley Award. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for his Dvorak, Morley and Denning paper (2008). This is for the paper that makes the most valuable contribution to the environmental engineering profession. Eligible papers must deal with the design, construction operation or financing of water supply, pollution control, storm drainage or solid waste collection and disposal facilities and be published by the Society during the preceding year.

Dr. Dvorak has won numerous teaching awards, including the 2005 University of Nebraska University Holling Family Master Teacher Award/University-Wide Teaching Award.

He is a registered professional Environmental Engineer. He earned his BS in Civil Engineering from UNL in 1987 and Ph.D. in Civil (Environmental) Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994.

• Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, University of Texas, 1994.
• M.S. in Environmental Health Engineering, University of Texas, 1990.
• B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1987.

• B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), 1987
• M.S. Environmental Health Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1990
• Ph.D. Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1994

• Associate Professor, Civil Engineering and Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska, 8/00 - present.
• Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering, Univ. of Nebraska, 8/94 - 7/00.
• Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Texas at Austin, 8/88 - 7/94.
• Design Engineer, Black and Veatch Consulting Engineers, Kansas City, 6/87 - 8/88.

• 2009 Samuel Arnold Greeley Award - American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for the Dvorak, Morley and Denning paper (2008). This is for the paper that makes the most valuable contribution to the environmental engineering profession. Eligible papers must deal with the design, construction operation or financing of water supply, pollution control, storm drainage or solid waste collection and disposal facilities and be published by the Society during the preceding year.
• 2009 and 2003 UNL (College of Engineering) Hollings Teaching/Advising/Mentoring Award
• 2008 and 2002 Faculty Service Award, UNL College of Engineering
• 2007, 2003 and 1999 Olsson Associates Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, UNL Chi Epsilon Chapter
• 2005 Holling Family Master Teacher Award/UNL University-Wide Teaching Award, University of Nebraska
• 2004 Journal of Environmental Engineering (ASCE) "Editor's Award" (for consistently rated as excellent in evaluating manuscripts) From Mark Rood, Editor
• 1999 Multi-Disciplinary Research Award, UNL College of Engineering
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi Honor Society, and Chi Epsilon Honor Society

Classes frequently taught during a two-year rotation:

• CIVE 112 - Introduction to Civil Engineering
• CIVE 326 - Introduction to Environmental Engineering
• CIVE 327 - Environmental Engineering Laboratory
• CIVE 425 - Process Design: Water and Wastewater Treatment
• CIVE 422/822 - Pollution Prevention: Principles and Practices
• CIVE 426/826 - Design of Drinking Water Treatment and Supply
• CIVE 823 - Physical and Chemical Treatment Processes

Total of 24 M.S. Theses Supervised by Dr. Dvorak, with four more in M.S. students and 1 Ph.D. student in progress.

25 of the 75 students (33%) have graduated from the UNL MS EnvE program since its inception in 1996 through August 2008 were supervised by Dr. Dvorak.

According to UNL’s Career Services (2005-2008 survey data), MS EnvE students had an average starting salary of $61,400. This starting salary was higher than any other MS in Engineering as well almost as high as a Ph.D. in Engineering ($64,900) for UNL. This salary dataset highlights the strong market demand for the graduates of the UNL EnvE graduate program. Teaching Philosophy:

I focus on integrating my enthusiasm and pursuit of new knowledge (especially related to environmental sustainability and drinking water) across the teaching, research, outreach, and service portions of my position.

I endeavor to share my enthusiasm and passion for the subjects that I teach with my students. I expect students to behave and be prepared as the professionals that they will soon become. I focus on examples of concepts since many engineers learn best by example. I make a special effort to be accessible for students to receive individualized help outside of class and to get to know each student.

For most classes, I utilize "skeleton notes", where I give the students pre-printed partial notes for the lecture. The pre-printed notes include key equations, lists of information, example problem statements, etc. so students can focus on the discussion. I do expect students to annotate these notes to include more information from the discussion, as well as to copy from the board key problem solutions, diagrams, and points in order to help make the students process these points during the lecture.

Chair, Nebraska Section, American Water Works Association (NS-AWWA)
Chair, Small Systems Research Committee, American Water Works Association (AWWA)

Also a member of:

• Water Environment Federation (WEF)
• International Water Association (IWA)
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP)
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)

Frequent manuscript reviewer for Water Environment Research, Journal of Environmental Engineering, ASCE, Environmental Engineering Science, Aqua, and Environmental Science and Technology.

Dr. Dvorak has obtained grants and contracts worth a total of $5.3 million dollars since 1995. A total of $3.0 million dollars of the total activity is external (Non-UNL and Nebraska Research Initiative funds). A total of $1.7 million dollars are external grant funds expended during the past five years. Funding sources include the US EPA, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, City of Lincoln, and US Geological Survey.

• Denning, P., and Dvorak, B.I. (2009) "Maximizing Sorbent Life: Comparison of Columns in Parallel, Lead-Lag Series, and with Bypass Blending"Water Environment Research (in press).
• Dvorak, B.I., Morley, M. and Denning, P. (2008) "Relative Impact on GAC Usage Rates of Operating Strategies for Treatment of a Contaminated Groundwater", Manuscript accepted for publication in Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Management (ASCE) (in press).
• Denning, P., and Dvorak, B.I. (2008) "Maximizing Sorbent Life: Comparison of Columns in Parallel, Lead-Lag Series, and with Bypass Blending" Manuscript submitted for review to Water Environment Research.
• Qiu, J. and Dvorak, B.I. (2008) "The Impact of Phosphate Treatment on Copper Corrosion in Two Nebraska Public Water Supply Systems" Manuscript submitted for review to Journal of Environmental Engineering, ASCE.
• Dvorak, B.I., Hygnstrom, J.R., Youngblood, D.J., Woldt, W.E., and Hawkey, S.A. (2008) "Lessons Learned Concerning Impact Assessment: Pollution Prevention Technical Assistance in Nebraska", Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(6) 751-760.
• Youngblood, D.J., Dvorak, B.I., Woldt, W.E., Hawkey, S.A., Hygnstrom, J.R. (2008) "Quantifying and Comparing a P2 Program's Benefits: Pollution Prevention Technical Assistance in Nebraska", Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(6) 761-770.
• Youngblood, D.J., Dvorak, B.I., and Hawkey, S.A. (2008) "Indirect Benefits of P2 Suggestions Overlooked by Traditional Success Metric Accounting", Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(6) 771-779.
• Reinsch, C.T., Admiraal, D.M., Dvorak, B.I., Cecrle, C.A., Franti, T.G., and Stansbury, J.S. (2007) "Yard Waste Compost as a Storm Water Protection Treatment for Construction Sites," Water Environment Research, 79(8), 868-876.
• Rodriguez-Fuentes, R., Hilts, B., and Dvorak, B. (2005) "Disinfection By-Product Precursor Adsorption As A Function Of GAC Properties:  A Case Study," 131(10), 825-832, Journal of Environmental Engineering, ASCE.
• Woldt, W.E., Dvorak, B.I., and Dahab, M.F. (2003) "Application of Fuzzy Set Theory to Industrial Pollution Prevention: Production System Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment", Soft Computing Journal, 7, 419-433.
• Dvorak, B.I., Woldt, W.E., and Hygnstrom, J. (2003) "Partners in Pollution Prevention Internship Program: Undergraduate Engineering Student Education Through Technical Assistance," Environmental Quality Management, Winter.
• Dvorak, B. and Schauble, J. (2001) "Uncertainty In Air Stripping Tower Design: Implications Of Air-To-Water Ratio," Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 1 (4) 177-184.

Full List of Publications

1. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., Woldt, W., and Kahle, A. (2008) Drinking Water: Fluoride, G1376, [30% contribution].
2. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., Woldt, W., and Worth, S. (2008) Drinking Water: Bacteria, G1826, [40% contribution].
3. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., Woldt, W., and Pulte, R. (2008) Drinking Water: Nitrate-Nitrogen, G1279, [20% contribution].
4. Skipton, S., and Dvorak, B. (2007) Chloramines Water Disinfection: Omaha Metropolitan Utilities District and Lincoln Water System, G1704, [45% contribution]
5. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., Woldt, W., and Drda, S. (2007) Drinking Water: Copper, G1360, [20% contribution]
6. Dvorak, B., Prasai, G, Skipton, S., and Woldt, W. (2007) Drinking Water: Iron and Manganese, G1714, [50% contribution].
7. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., Woldt, W., and Kranz, B. (2007) Drinking Water Treatment: Shock Chlorination, G1761, [20% contribution].
8. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., Woldt, W., and Drda, S. (2006) Drinking Water: Lead, G1333, [20% contribution]
9. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., Woldt, W., and Kahle, A. (2006) Drinking Water: Arsenic, G1552, [30% contribution].
10. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., and Woldt, W. (2006) Drinking Water: Approved Water Testing Laboratories in Nebraska, G1614, [30% contribution].
11. Franti, T., and Dvorak, B. (2006) Using Yard Waste Compost to Control Soil Erosion from Steep Slopes on Construction Sites, G1624, [40% contribution].
12. Franti, T., and Dvorak, B. (2006) Demonstration of Yard Waste Compost to Control Soil Erosion from Steep Slopes on Construction Sites, G1625, [40% contribution].
13. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., and Woldt, W. (2005) Drinking Water: Testing for Quality, G907, [20% contribution].
14. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., Pamperl, A., Woldt, W., and Denning, P. (2005) Drinking Water: Uranium, G1569, [30% contribution].
15. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., Woldt, W. (2005) An Introduction to Drinking Water, G1539, [30% contribution]
16. Skipton, S., Varner, D, Jasa, P, Dvorak, B., and Kocher, J. (2004) Drinking Water: Hard Water, G1274, [10% contribution].
17. Skipton, S., Varner, D, Jasa, P, and Dvorak, B., (2004) Drinking Water: Sulfates and Hydrogen Sulfide, G1275, [10% contribution].
18. Skipton, S., Dvorak, B., and Albrecht, J. (2004) Drinking Water: Storing an Emergency Supply, G15365, [30% contribution].
19. Kocher, J, Dvorak, B., Skipton, S. and Dorn, T. (2004) Drinking Water Treatment: Emergency Procedures, G1494, [40% contribution].
20. Kocher, J, Dvorak, B., and Skipton, S. (2004) Drinking Water Treatment: Continuous Chlorination, G1496 [30% contribution].
21. Kocher, J, Dvorak, B., and Skipton, S. (2003) Drinking Water Treatment: An Overview, EC703, [40% contribution].
22. Kocher, J, Skipton, S., and Dvorak, B. (2003) Drinking Water Treatment: What You Need to Know When Selecting Water Treatment Equipment, G1488, [20% contribution].
23. Kocher, J, Dvorak, B., and Skipton, S. (2003) Drinking Water Treatment: Activated Carbon Filtration, G1489, [30% contribution].
24. Kocher, J, Dvorak, B., and Skipton, S. (2003) Drinking Water Treatment: Reverse Osmosis, G1490, [30% contribution].
25. Kocher, J, Skipton, S., Dvorak, B. and Neimeyer, S. (2003) Drinking Water Treatment: Water Softening (Ion Exchange), G1491, [20% contribution].
26. Kocher, J, Dvorak, B., and Skipton, S. (2003) Drinking Water Treatment: Sediment Filtration, G1492, [30% contribution].
27. Kocher, J, Dvorak, B., and Skipton, S. (2003) Drinking Water Treatment: Distillation, G1493, [30% contribution].
28. Hodill, G., Dvorak, B. and Hygnstrom, J. (2003) NF03-573 Handling Used Oil - A guide for small businesses concerning Used Oil Disposal options for small businesses. [50% contribution]
29. Skipton, S., Woldt, W., and Dvorak, B. (2002) Decommissioning Water Wells: An Owner's Guide, G1471, [10% contribution].

These publications are available on the UNL Water Web site

1.  Expand awareness of pollution prevention and environmental sustainability as an environmental management technique in Nebraska.

2.  Increase sustainability of Nebraska’s drinking water systems (particularly for small communities and homeowners). 

The main impacts of this program include: 

Pollution Prevention / Sustainability: 

Over 475 business clients based in 60 different Nebraska communities were assisted by student interns providing pollution prevention technical assistance during the summers of 1997 through 2008 though the Partners in Pollution Prevention program.  During this period, the program helped businesses save an estimated $16.5 million dollars through waste reduction and divert over 49 million pounds of solid waste from landfills. 

Drinking Water:

Part of this outreach occurs through my leadership in the American Water Works Association, and networking with state and federal regulatory agencies.  In addition, I have helped author a series of guides for the public on drinking water.  The NebGuides series addresses a critical topic for Nebraskans, as evidenced by consumer survey data in the 2007 report by the Heartland Regional Water Coordination Initiative. The Heartland report found that the number one water issue that Nebraskan’s want to learn more about was “drinking water and human health.  The NebGuides prepared as part of this effort fit this description.  The drinking water NebGuides have been heavily used by the public, as evidenced by web hits.  According to recent web hit data the drinking water NebGuides have had 216,970 hits over six months.   
 

Over 475 business clients based in 60 different Nebraska communities were assisted by student interns providing pollution prevention technical assistance during the summers of 1997 through 2008.  During this period, the program helped businesses save an estimated $16.5 million dollars through waste reduction and divert over 49 million pounds of solid waste from landfills.  

• Partners in Pollution Prevention Program (P3)
• M.S. Environmental Engineering Program
• Nebraska Section AWWA
• UNL Water Web Page