The Robert and Mitchell Landreth “Steward of the Environment” award was established in 2021 and is given in recognition of “distinguished engineering achievement related to the environment” by a young faculty member, graduate student, or post doctorate working with Geosynthetics.  Only one such award will be given annually by GSI. 

 Robert E. Landreth had the rank of Captain in the US Department of Public Health. As the research director at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) he advocated for research funding which made it possible to spearhead efforts in geosynthetics during the 1980 and 90’s. The pioneering research which transpired, changed regulations and the way that waste is managed throughout the world. Landreth’s guidance, determination and hard work are a testament to the very best of our nation’s public servants.

This year’s award and first recipient is Dr. Joseph Scalia IV and includes a $10,000 fellowship.  Joe’s research and teaching centers on the convergences of soil mechanics with contaminant hydrology, geology, environmental engineering, hydrology, mechanical engineering, and hydraulics. Prior to joining CSU, Scalia was a Senior Associate at Exponent (formerly Failure Analysis Associates) in the Environmental and Earth Sciences Practice in Bellevue, Washington, and Natick, Massachusetts.