CLIFF I. DAVIDSON
Thomas C. and Colleen L. Wilmot Professor of Engineering
Director, Center for Sustainable Enginering
Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems
and Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Link Hall 151
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13244
December 31, 2019
Vital Statistics
Born May 9, 1950, Passaic, New Jersey
Education
1972: BS in Electrical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
1973: MS in Environmental Engineering Science, California Institute of Technology
1977: PhD in Environmental Engineering Science, California Institute of Technology, Minor in Electrical Engineering
Professional and Honorary Society Memberships
Air and Waste Management Association
American Association for Aerosol Research
American Society of Civil Engineers
Society of Environmental Geochemistry and Health
Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honorary Society)
Sigma Xi (Research Honorary Society)
Eta Kappa Nu (Electrical Engineering Honorary Society)
Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering Honorary Society)
Current and Previous Employment
Director, Environmental Engineering Programs, Syracuse University, starting 2014
Thomas and Colleen Wilmot Professor, Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, starting January 2010
Director, Center for Sustainable Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2005-2009; Syracuse University starting January 2010
Director, Environmental Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 1993-2003
Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering/Engineering & Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 1986-2009.
Associate Professor of Civil Engineering/Engineering & Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 1982-1986.
Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering/Engineering & Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 1977-1982.
Graduate Research Assistant, California Institute of Technology, 1972-1976.
Environmental Research Staff Member, Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, IA, Summer 1972.
Ecological Systems Research Staff Member, Westinghouse R & D Center, Pittsburgh, PA, Summer 1970.
Biochemistry Research Staff Member, Des Moines College of Osteopathy, Des Moines, IA, Summers 1967 and 1969.
Draftsman, Vanderlinden and Dennis Structural Engineering, Des Moines, IA, Summer 1968.
Archaeological Excavating, U. of Iowa Department of Anthropology, Summer 1966.
Awards
Elected a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, 2016
Elected a Faculty Fellow of the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, 2016
Elected a Fellow of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, 2015
United Methodist University Scholar-Teacher Award, Syracuse University, 2014
William H. and Frances M. Ryan Award for Meritorious Teaching, Carnegie Mellon University, 2009.
2009 Outstanding Paper Award, Literati Network Awards for Excellence, Emerald Group Publishing, for a paper in the International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education that appeared in 2008.
Elected a Fellow of the American Association for Aerosol Research, 2008
Phillip Dowd Fellowship, College of Engineering, CMU, 2007.
Outstanding Educator Award, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, 2007.
Charles Beyer Distinguished Lecturer, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, 2006.
American Association for Aerosol Research, Service Award for serving as Co-Chair of the International Conference “Particulate Matter: Atmospheric Sciences, Exposure, and the Fourth Colloquium on PM and Human Health,” Pittsburgh, PA, April 1-4, 2003.
Jubilee Chair Professorship, Chalmers University, Gothenburg, Sweden, 1997.
Parsons ES/AEEP Award for serving as thesis advisor to the recipient of the 23rd Annual Doctoral Thesis Award, Parsons Engineering Science and Association of Environmental Engineering Professors, 1996.
Benjamin Richard Teare Award for Excellence in Engineering Education, Carnegie Mellon University, 1992.
Outstanding Professor of the Year Award, American Society of Civil Engineers, Pittsburgh Section, 1989.
Ralph R. Teetor Award given to young engineering educators with less than five years experience, Society of Automotive Engineers, 1982.
George Tallman Ladd Award for Outstanding Research, Carnegie Mellon University, 1980.
First Annual Lincoln T. Work Award, Fine Particle Society, August 1976.
Chosen by Carnegie Mellon University as the CMU nominee for “Outstanding Electrical Engineering Student in the U.S., 1972”, Sponsored by Eta Kappa Nu.
University Activities
Carnegie Mellon University Committees
Member, Executive Steering Committee, Biomedical Engineering Department (1979-1987)
Faculty Advisor, American Society of Civil Engineers, Student Chapter (1982-1985)
Faculty Advisor, Amateur Radio Club (1983-1995)
Member, Faculty Club Management Committee (1984-1987)
Member, Student Affairs Council of the Faculty Senate (1986-1991); Chairman (1986-1987)
Member, Faculty Senate (1986-1991)
Chairman of the CIT Faculty (1987-1988)
Chairman, Civil Engineering Department Head Search Committee (1988-1989)
Member, Human Relations Commission (1989-2000)
Member, CIT Curriculum Review Committee (1989-1990)
Co-chairman, Graduate Student Concerns Committee (1990-1991)
Co-chairman, Task Force on Undergraduate Advising (1991-1993)
Member, Director of Libraries Search Committee (1991-1992)
Member, Environmental Institute Steering Committee (1991-2009)
Member, University Student Affairs Council (1992-1993)
Chairman, EPP/Chem. Eng. Faculty Search Committee (1992-1993)
Member, University Education Council (1992-1994)
Member, Student Focus Committee, Career Center Task Force (1993-1994)
Member, Learning Support Problem Solving Group (1993-1994)
Member, CMU Retirement Policy Committee (1994-1995)
Member, CIT University Education Council (1994-1995)
Member, Director of the Career Center Search Committee (1994-1995)
Chairman, Civil & Environ. Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (1994-1995)
Member, First Year Partnership Program, Office of Residence Life (1995-1997)
Vice-chair, University Educational Council (1996-1997)
Chairman, Environmental Studies Committee (1995-1996)
Member, Environmental Task Force (1996-1997)
Member, Graduate Student Teaching Awards Committee (1996-1997), Chair (1999-2000)
Member, Graduate Student Service Awards Committee (1996-1997)
Co-Chair, Graduate Student Concerns Committee (1996)
CMU Representative to Three Rivers Univ. Consortium for the Environment (1996-2000)
Member, Judging Committee for Small Undergraduate Research Grants Symposium (1997, 1999-2009)
Member, Environmental Strategic Planning Committee (1998-1999)
EPP Representative, Ad Hoc Committee, Tenure and Promotion Review, CIT (1998)
CMU Representative to Environmental City Network, Pittsburgh High Tech. Council (1998)
Member, Green Practices Committee (1999-present)
Chair, Transportation Subcommittee of the Green Practices Committee (2005-2009)
Member, University Energy Subcommittee (2000-2002)
Member, Judging Comm., CMU Siemens-Westinghouse Regional Science Fair (1999-2005)
Member, University Disciplinary Council and Academic Review Board (1999-2006)
Member, CIT Awards Committee (2003-2009)
CEE Representative, Ad Hoc Committee, Tenure and Promotion Review, CIT (2002, 2003, and 2006)
Chair-Elect, CIT Faculty (2004-2005); Chair, CIT Faculty (2005-2006)
Syracuse University Committees
Chair, Research Committee, Strategic Plan for the Engineering College, SU, 2011-2012
Member of Core Faculty, Certificate of Advanced Study in Sustainability Entrepreneurship, SU 2011-present
Member, Treatment Processes Faculty Search Committee, LCS Engineering College, 2011-2012.
Member, Infrastructure Professor of Practice Search Committee, CIE Department, 2013-2014
Organizer, Environmental Group Weekly Seminars, CIE Department, 2013-present
Member, SU Faculty Senate, representing CIE Department, 2013-2015
Member, Department Chair Search Committee, CIE Department, 2013-2014
Member, Treatment Processes Search Committee, CIE Department, 2013-2015
Chair, Dean Search Committee, Engineering College, SU, 2014-2015
Member of the SU Honorary Degree Committee, University Senate, 2014-2016
Member of the Outstanding TA Award Judging Committee, 2016-2017
Chair, Tenure and Promotions Committee, ECS, 2016-2017; Member 2018-present
Member, ECS Curriculum and Academic Affairs Committee, 2019-2020
Member CIE Tenure Committee, 2019-2020
Member, Advisory Board for the SOURCE Undergraduate Research Program, Syracuse University, 2019-present
Committee Memberships
Committee on Lead in the Human Environment, Environmental Studies Board, National Research Council, Commission on Natural Resources, National Academy of Sciences. August 1978-July 1979.
Pollution Subcommittee, U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, U.S. Department of State. November 1982-1991.
Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, May-Sept. 1984.
Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry Proposal Review Panel, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, March & November, 1985; January 1990.
Atmospheric Sciences Research Laboratory Review Panel on Dry Deposition and Materials Effects, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 1985.
Atmospheric Sciences Research Laboratory Review Panel on Materials Effects, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 1986.
Atmospheric Chemistry Program Proposal Review Panel, U.S. Department of Energy, March 1991.
Ice Core Working Group, National Science Foundation, alternate member. October 1986-September 1988; regular member October 1988-December 1990.
Air and Water Quality Technical Advisory Committee, Department of Environmental Resources, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, November 1989-1996.
Impact Assessment Working Group, Air and Water Quality Technical Advisory Committee, Department of Environmental Resources, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Chairman, January – May 1990.
Technical Subcommittee for Development of the State Implementation Plan, Allegheny County Bureau of Air Pollution Control, 1977-1985.
Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Allegheny County Bureau of Air Pollution Control. May 1978-April 1992.
Air Monitoring Subcommittee for Allegheny County Bureau of Air Pollution Control. Vice-chair: May 1980-November 1989. Chair: November 1989-April 1996.
Task Committee on Guidance, American Society of Civil Engineers, Chair: September 1985-June 1986.
Publications Committee, Air and Waste Management Association, June 1988-June 1990
Technical Program Committee, 1990 AWMA Meeting, Air and Waste Management Association, June 1989-June 1990.
Organizing Committee, Fifth International Conference on Precipitation Scavenging and Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Processes, July 1991.
Working Group on Estimation of Dermal and Inhalation Exposures to Contaminants in Drinking Water, Institute for Life Sciences under contract from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1995-1996.
Executive Committee, Three Rivers University for the Environment, City of Pittsburgh, 1996-1997.
EPA Particulate Matter Instrumentation Proposal Review Committee, 2005
Working Group on HVAC Systems to Reduce Risks posed by Biological Attacks, Center for Biosecurity of the University of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, MD, 2005
EPA National Center for Environmental Assessment, Lead Criteria Document Co-author, 2005
NAS Committee to Review Proposals for the Ohio Scholars Research Program, 2008
Green Government Task Force, City of Pittsburgh, 2006-2009
United Jewish Federation, Pittsburgh Office, Committee on the Environment, 2006-2009
American Society of Civil Engineers, Sustainability Infrastructure Education Subcommittee, October 2009-2018; Chair, 2019-2020
EPA Subcommittee on Lead, Clean Air Science Advisory Committee, 2010-2013
American Society of Civil Engineers, Formal Engineering Education Subcommittee, 2014-2020
Member of NSF Blue Ribbon Panel to review Engineering Research Center proposals, attend site visits, and attend reverse site visits. Panel met in Arlington, VA on January 26-29, 2015.
Member of organizing committee and participant in NSF Workshop on Sustainable Manufacturing: Urgent Research Needs and Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Arlington, VA, August 20-21, 2015.
Member, Student Poster Judging Committee, Second International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure, Shenzhen, China, ASCE, October 2016
Member, Student Poster Judging Committee, Fifth International Conference on Sustainability Science and Engineering, Suzhou, China, October 2016
Member, Technical Program Committee, Third International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure, ASCE, October 2017
Member, Fellows Committee, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, 2017-present
Member, Organizing Committee, International Building Physics Conference, held September 2018
Member, Technical Program Committee, Fourth International Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure, ASCE, November 2019
Academic Advisory Committees:
EPA Center for Airborne Organics, MIT/Caltech/NJIT, 1990-2000, Science Advisory Committee
Atmospheric Sciences Dept, Univ. of Nevada – Reno, 2004, Advisory Board
Environ. Energy Technology Division, Lawrence Berkeley Nat. Laboratory, 2006, Review Committee (chair)
Chemical and Environ. Eng. Dept., U of Arizona, Tucson, April 2007-2009 (chair); 2010 (member)
NSF Center for Environ. Sustain. in Arid Coastal Areas, Texas A&M Kingsville, Oct. 2009.
Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Clarkson University, 2011-2016
Environmental Energy Technology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2011.
Advisory Board for the Division of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University (chair), 2014.
NSF Quantum Energy and Sustainable Solar Technologies ERC review, Arizona State University, 2017-present
American Association for Aerosol Research:
Atmospheric Aerosols Working Group Chair 1990-1992
Board of Directors 1991-1994
Secretary 1995-1997
Vice-President Elect 1997-1998
Vice-President 1998-1999
President 1999-2000
Nominating Committee 1989-1990, 1995-1996, 1998-1999 (chairman), 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2007-2008, 2010-2011.
Long-Range Planning Committee, Chair 1998-1999, member 2000-present
Publications Committee, 1989-1992.
Organizing Committee, AAAR National Meetings 1990 through 1996.
Conference Chair, AAAR National Meeting, October 1995.
Conference Co-Chair, AAAR Specialty Conference on PM and Human Health, April 2003
Fellows Committee, 2009-present
Editorial Boards
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 1982-present
Chemosphere, 1989-2004
Aerosol Science and Technology, 1992-2002 and 2004-2010
Environmental Engineering Science, 1997-2011
Sustainability, the Journal of Record, 2008-present
Research Interests
Dynamics and characterization of airborne particles, especially atmosphere-surface exchange. Indoor pollutants. Sustainable development, especially regarding the built environment. Factors influencing behavior change needed for transition to a more sustainable society. Education in sustainable engineering.