Dr. Garrett McKay, postdoctoral researcher at the Colorado School of Mines, will be joining the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in fall 2019 as a member of the environmental engineering research group.
McKay’s research interests include aquatic photochemistry, dissolved organic matter and treatment of water pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, International Humic Substances Society, and Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors.
“The work I do involves focusing on chemical processes happening in both natural and engineered systems,” McKay said.
Environmental engineers investigate water quality, drinking and wastewater treatment, aquatic chemistry and a myriad of other factors related to interactions between society and the built world. In his research, McKay observes the transformations of organic pollutants caused by reactive oxygen species with a particular interest in how organic matter influences these processes.
“One goal is to understand the role that dissolved organic matter plays in these systems,” he said. “Organic matter is a complex mixture of molecules, making this a challenge. We apply tools to characterize organic matter from a variety of sources, allowing us to predict its chemistry in these systems.”
McKay’s postdoctoral research investigated novel remediation strategies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are used in industrial processes, fire-fighting foams and non-stick materials. His strong dedication to environmental engineering research, and a love of teaching, ultimately drove him to Texas A&M.
“I’ve had a dream of becoming a processor for many years,” McKay said. “I really enjoy working with students and the research mentoring process. I enjoy seeing students become independent and helping them get to the next stage of their career.”