Civil & Environmental Engineering

Matt Higgins

Matthew J. Higgins

Professor
Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: (570) 577-1972
Fax: (570) 577-3415
mhiggins@bucknell.edu

Educational Background:

  • B.S.C.E., University of Maine
  • M.S.C.E., University of Maine
  • Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech

Teaching Experience:

  • Virginia Tech
  • Bucknell University

Teaching Specialties:

  • Introduction to Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering Chemistry
  • Physical/Chemical Treatment Processes
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Environmental Pollution and Control (for environmental science majors)
  • Water Resources Engineering
  • Engineering Graphics
  • Unit Operations and Processes

Recent Awards

  • Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Virginia Tech, April 2006
  • Featured Researcher in WERF Highlights Researcher Roundup, April 2006.
  • ASCE Journal of Env. Eng. Editor's Award for outstanding service to the organization and profession, 2002.
  • Awarded CH2MHill National Foundation Award, September, 2001
  • Nominated for DuPont Young Faculty Award, 2000
  • NSF-New Century Scholars Workshop Awardee, 1999.

Research Interests:

  • Winery waste management
  • Energy management in treatment processes
  • Bacterial disinfection and non-culturable bacteria in treatment processes
  • Coagulation/flocculation and bioflocculation
  • Application of molecular methods in environmental engineering
  • Constructed wetlands for treating non-point source pollution
  • Endocrine disruptors in water and wastewater treatment
  • Industrial wastewater treatment

Selected Journal Publications:

  • Higgins, M.J., Y.C. Chen, S.N. Murthy, D. Hendrickson, J. Farrell, P. Schafer. (2007) Reactivation and growth of non-culturable E. coli in anaerobically digested biosolids after dewatering. Water Research, 44 (3), 665-673.
  • Chen, Y., Higgins, M.J., Murthy, S.N., Maas, N.A., Covert, K.J. and Toffey, W.E. (2006) Production of odorous indole, skatole, p-cresol, toluene, styrene, and ethylbenzene in biosolids. Journal of Residuals Science & Technology. 3 (4): 193-202.
  • Glindemann, D., S. N. Murthy, M.J. Higgins, Y.C. Chen, and J.T. Novak. (2006). Biosolids incubation method for odorous gas measurement from dewatered sludge cakes. Journal of Residuals Science & Technology 3(3): 153-160.
  • Chen, Y.C., M.J. Higgins, N.A. Maas, S.N. Murthy. 2006. DNA extraction and Escherichia coli quantification of anaerobically digested biosolids using the competitive touchdown PCR method. Water Research, 40(16): 3037-3044.
  • Higgins, M.J., D.P. Yarosz, Y.C. Chen, S.N. Murthy, N. Maas, J. Cooney, D. Glindemann, J.T. Novak. (2006) Cycling of volatile organic sulfur compounds in anaerobically digested biosolids and its implications for odors. Water Env. Research.78, 243-252.
  • Novak, J.T., G. Adams, T. Card, Y.C. Chen, Z. Erdal, R.H. Forbes, Jr., D. Glindemann, J.R. Hargreaves, L. Hentz, M.J. Higgins, D. McEwen, S.N. Murthy, J. Witherspoon. (2006) Odor generation patterns from anaerobically digested biosolids. Water Env. Research, 78, .
  • Chen, Y., Higgins, M.J. Maas, N.A., Murthy, S.N. and Toffey, W.E. (2005) Roles of Methanogens on Volatile Organic Sulfur Compound Production in Anaerobically Digested Wastewater Biosolids. Water Sci. and Technology, 52, 67-72.
  • Holbrook, D.R., M.J. Higgins, S.N. Murthy, A.D. Fonseca, E.J. Fleischer, G.T. Daigger, T.J. Grizzard, N.G. Love, and J.T. Novak. (2004) Impact of Alum Addition on the Performance of Submerged Membranes for Wastewater Treatment. Water Env. Res., 76, 2699-2702.
  • Higgins, M.J., L.A. Miller, and D.C. Sobeck. (2004) Case Study I: Application of the Divalent Cation Bridging Theory to Improve Biofloc Properties and Activated Sludge Performance - Direct Addition of Divalent Cations. Water Env. Research, 76, 344-352
  • Higgins, M.J., S. Owens, L. Szabo, and D.C. Sobeck. (2004) Case Study II: Application of the Divalent Cation Bridging Theory to Improve Biofloc Properties and Activated Sludge Performance - Using Alternatives to Sodium Based Chemicals. Water Env. Research, 76, 353-359.

Selected Presentations

  • Higgins, M.J., Y.C. Chen, S.N. Murthy, D. Hendrickson. (2007). Latest Developments on the Emerging Issue of E. coli and Fecal Coliform Reactivation and Regrowth after Dewatering. Int. Wat. Assoc. Specialist Conference-Wastewater Biosolids Sustainability, Moncton, Canada.
  • Higgins, M.J., Y.C. Chen, R.H. Forbes, G. Adams, J. Witherspoon, R. Hargreaves, J. Novak, M.Higgins, Z. Erdal, R. Morton, T. Shea, M. Abu-Orf. (2007) WERF Odor Study Phase III: Impacts of Dewatering Processes and Operational Parameters on Production of Odor Causing Compounds Wat. Env. Fed. Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conf., Denver, Colorado.
  • Higgins, M.J. (2007) Fecal Coliform Re-growth Issues and Implications on Pathogen Reduction. Invited Speaker for "Hot Topics" Session at Wat. Env. Fed. Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conf., Denver, Colorado.
  • Higgins, M.J. (2007)Perspectives on Reactivation and Regrowth. Invited Speaker for Pre-Conference Workshop Session at Wat. Env. Fed. Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conf., Denver, Colorado.
  • Higgins, M.J. 2006. Overview of Reactivation and regrowth. Invited Speaker to WEF Special Research Session. at Water Env. Federation 79th Annual Con.
  • Higgins, M.J. 2006. Recent research updates on reactivation and regrowth of indicator bacteria. Invited featured speaker for WERF Specialty Web Seminar. Broadcast live on internet,. September 21th, 2006
  • Higgins, M.J. 2006. Reactivation and regrowth of fecal coliforms - state of the knowledge address. Invited speaker in WERF Research Forum, Washington, DC, August, 17th, 2006.
  • Higgins, M.J. 2006. Latest advances in conditioning and dewatering. Invited featured speaker for WERF Specialty Web Seminar. Broadcast live on internet with over 300 participants. June 14th, 2006
  • Higgins, M.J. 2006. Application of Mg(OH)2 for organic sulfur odor control, FOG removal, and reduction in polymer demand. Invited presentation for Premier Chemicals, Los Angeles, CA, March, 2006.
  • Higgins, M.J. and S.N. Murthy. 2006. Update on Viable but Non-culturable E. coli after digestion. Presented at the WERF Subscribers Meeting (by invitation) at the Water Env. Federation Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference, March, 2006, Cincinnati, Ohio.
  • Higgins, M.J. Invited Research Symposium Presentation. 2005. Viable but non-culturable bacteria in digestion. Presented at pre-conference workshop, DCWASA, Washington, DC.
  • Higgins, M.J. 2005. Invited Research Symposium Presentation. Dewatering and Post-Processing Treatment for Reducing Odors and Pathogens. Presented at the Mid-Atlantic Biosolids Association Annual Research Symposium. Washington, D.C.
  • Higgins, M.J. 2005. Invited Workshop Presentation: Effects of Biosolids Dewatering Parameters and Chemical Addition on Odors. Presented at the WEF/AWWA Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference. Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Higgins, M.J. 2005. Invited Technical Presentation: Understanding Factors Affecting Polymer Demand. Presented at the WEF/AWWA Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference. Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Higgins, M.J., K. Hamel, Y.C. Chen, S.N. Murthy, E.J. Barben, A. Livadaros, M. Travis, N.A. Maas. 2005. Part II of Field Research: Impact of Centrifuge Torque and Polymer Dose on Odor Production from Anaerobically Digested Biosolids. Presented at the WEF/AWWA Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference. Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Higgins, M.J. 2005. WERF Phase 3 Project Update: Biosolids Processing Modifications for Cake Odor Reduction. Presented at the New York Water Env. Association Annual Meeting, New York, New York.
  • Higgins, M.J. 2005. Invited Workshop Presentation: Factors Affecting Polymer Demand. Presented at the WEF/AWWA Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference. Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Higgins, M.J. 2004. Invited Technical Presentation: Research Update: Odor Formation from Anaerobically Digested Biosolids. Presented at the Virginia Water Env. Association Annual Conference., Richmond, Virginia.