Dr. Treavor H. Boyer, from the Department of Environmental Engineering & Science, will receive the 2014 Excellence Award for Assistant Professors.
The award is presented by the Provost’s Office and nominees must display excellence in research. This year’s selection committee said it focused on the quality and innovativeness of research, and sought to balance the diverse intellectual streams that the candidates represented.
“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award,” Boyer said.
When Boyer started at the University of Florida in 2008, his sole focus was on potable water treatment. Since then, his area of expertise has evolved from a singular focus on drinking water to encompassing wastewater treatment and natural systems. He has developed innovative ion exchange technology for creating alternative water sources, and he has investigated urine source separation methods for nutrient recovery, pharmaceutical separation and life cycle assessment.
Boyer has published 42 articles in peer-reviewed journals, given 27 conference presentations and delivered more than 10 invited lectures. His publications have 613 total citations since 2009 with an h-index of 12.
“He is well recognized as a rising superstar in the water treatment field,” said Kirk Hatfield, director of UF’s Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment. “For a young assistant professor at this early stage of his professional career, his record is unparalleled among his colleagues.”
For Boyer, this award is more for his students than himself.
“I want to acknowledge the many graduate and undergraduate students who have contributed to my research group,” Boyer said. “This award recognizes that we are conducting high-impact research and provides the motivation to continue our research on sustainable and innovative approaches to drinking water treatment and wastewater management.”
Boyer will receive a one-time allocation of $5,000 in support of research that can be used to fund travel, equipment, books, graduate students and other research-related expenses.