Professor Bruce Misstear wins prestigious hydrogeology award for societal and environmental impact
Posted on: 24 September 2020
Professor Bruce Misstear, an adjunct professor from Trinity’s School of Engineering and fellow emeritus, has just won the 2020 Presidents’ Award of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH).
The prestigious award celebrates his outstanding contributions to the development and application of groundwater science and furthering IAH’s mission to promote wider understanding and management of groundwater resources for the benefit of humankind and the environment.
Following his studies, Bruce (a Trinity alumnus) worked as a hydrogeological consultant on groundwater development in several countries including Nigeria, Sudan, Burma and Oman. He subsequently became head of the Groundwater Department at the international consultancy Mott MacDonald and a Director of its Water and Environment Division.
In the mid-1990s Bruce joined the ranks of academia at Trinity as a full-time teacher and researcher until his retirement in 2018 (he now teaches part-time). He also served for four years as the university’s first Dean of Students.
Professor Misstear’s research activities include the investigation of flow pathways of diffuse agricultural pollutants, the linkages between groundwater vulnerability and groundwater recharge, and the impacts of domestic wastewater systems on private wells.
Shortly before his retirement he embarked on a research thesis on the Hydrogeology of Irish Holy Wells, which he plans to publish as a book.