EES Seminar: Enhancing Waste Management via Field–Model Integration and Data-Driven Tools, Jiannan Chen, UCF

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Integrating field data into decision-making models is critical for advancing solid waste management. In this seminar, Dr. Chen will present two related case studies. The first examines disposal of radionuclide-bearing waste forms using field lysimeter data and variably saturated flow modeling. The Integrated Disposal Facility at Hanford, WA, must meet DOE Order 435.1 requirements for performance and risk assessment of radioactive waste management. This study integrates lysimeter data with flow modeling to evaluate potential long-term releases of constituents from glass and grout waste forms. The approach supports predictive understanding of contaminant behavior under site-specific conditions. The second case addresses recycling contamination in Central Florida counties. Despite curbside programs, contamination in single-family households remains a persistent challenge. Dr. Chen’s team developed a decision-support framework that integrates machine learning, behavioral analytics, and life cycle assessment to predict and mitigate contamination. The framework synthesizes diverse datasets, including socio-demographic information, cart-tagging results from field outreach, image-based waste inspections, and survey responses collected via QR codes. These data streams reveal spatial and behavioral drivers of recycling performance at the census-block level, enabling municipalities to design more effective, targeted interventions.

Dr. Nick Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF). His research focuses on landfill geotechnics, the fate and transport of contaminants, and the life-cycle assessment of waste management. He was recently recognized with the 40 Under 40 Award by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, the Excellence in Research Award at UCF, and the Faculty Advisor of the Year Award by the ASCE Florida Section.