James M. Gossett

Biography

Professor Gossett joined the Cornell faculty in 1976. He was a faculty research fellow (1980) and a visiting professor (1984-85) with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, a NATO fellow (1987-92), and a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Affiliate Staff Scientist (1996-1999). At Cornell, he served as Director of the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering from 2003-2008. Feature articles about Gossett's work have appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, NewsDay, Le Figaro, Scientific American Explorations, Chemical and Engineering News, and Civil Engineering. Gossett has also appeared in numerous broadcast-media reports, including interviews with BBCWorldService, RTL (a German TV network), and CNN, as well as a segment on CNN's weekly magazine show, Science & Technology Week.

Research Interests

Gossett's research interests are in the general area of applied microbiology -- factors influencing biodegradability, microbial kinetics, and understanding the complex interactions occurring in microbial communities. Since 1984, he has principally worked on topics related to bioremediation of chlorinated-solvent-contaminated groundwaters. Additionally, Gossett conducts research on biofuels from lignocellulosic biomasses: pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis.

Ongoing research is in the general area of anaerobic bioremediation of chlorinated solvents. Specifically, Gossett and his students are investigating the use of bark-mulch barrier walls to intercept dilute plumes of chlorinated solvents contaminating the subsurface. The impetus for this research is the Cornell-contaminated site at the northern edge of Tompkins County airport. Additionally, Gossett and a student are working on improving a comprehensive predictive model for anaerobic reductive dechlorination.