1970 BSCE, 1971 MS
Gene Parkin’s relationship with the University of Iowa began at age eight when his parents began bringing him to Hawkeye football games. After earning a PhD from Stanford University, he taught a quarter at Stanford before beginning his academic career at Drexel University in 1978. He returned to the University of Iowa in 1986 and served on the faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering until his retirement in 2015. While at Drexel, he received the College of Engineering’s Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. At Iowa, he has received the Hancher-Finkbine Medallion, a University of Iowa Collegiate Teaching Award, a Board of Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, the Marion L. Huit Award for Faculty Excellence, and the President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence. In 2003, he was named the Donald E. Bently Professor of Engineering. He co-authored one of the most widely used textbooks in the field, Chemistry for Environmental Engineering and Science, with Perry L. McCarty. In 2015, he received the Charles R. O’Melia Distinguished Educator Award from the Association of Environmental Engineering & Science Professors.
Gene is well-known for his research in anaerobic biological processes, the use of iron in remediation of chlorinated solvents (patent received), combined microbial-plant degradation of perchlorate, and constructed wetlands treatment of wastewaters. His research has contributed to the wider acceptance of anaerobic biotechnology as a component of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. He has received the J. James R. Croes Medal from the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Harrison Prescott Eddy Medal from the Water Environment Federation.
Gene served as chair of CEE from 1990-95 and director of the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination from 1989-2015 and was a registered PE in Iowa.