NSERC Prizes
Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering
Kerry Rowe
Department of Civil Engineering
Kerry Rowe, a distinguished Canadian civil engineering researcher at Queen's University, leads the geotechnical engineering charge for improving global environmental safety. His pioneering work on landfill barrier systems and more recently on mine waste is having a profound effect in ensuring long-term protection of water and land resources worldwide.
Rowe's four decades of research have encompassed a comprehensive understanding of landfill barriers' intricate workings, including leachate collection layers, plastic liners (geomembranes), and clay liners. His approach integrates theoretical analysis, rigorous laboratory studies, and extensive field investigations. His groundbreaking numerical model predicting the lifespan of landfill drainage layers was validated through a unique 12-year full-scale experiment.
Rowe has addressed critical issues like geomembrane performance under various environmental stresses, such as chemicals and elevated temperatures. His findings have reshaped design approaches, promoted the longevity of liner materials, and modified construction practices so that facilities can now provide more than 550 years of service, far surpassing previous capabilities.
Rowe's impact extends globally, as he advises on over 150 projects worldwide and influences the development of regulatory standards in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and beyond. His work not only enhances environmental safety, but also mitigates risks associated with emerging contaminants in landfills and the environmental impacts of mine waste.
Kerry Rowe's research provides indispensable tools for safeguarding our environment for generations to come. His methods are pivotal to sustainable waste management practices globally.
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