Mohammad H. Rezaie Boroon

College of Natural & Social Sciences
Department of Geosciences and Environment
Office ASCL160
Phone
(323)343-2406
Email
[email protected]
  • Boroon picture CV
  • Educational and Teaching Activities
  • Rsearch and Scholary Activities
  • Fieldtrips

 

EDUCATION:

·        Ph.D. in Geology/Natural Sciences, 1997

  FA/University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.

 Funded by postgraduate research award fellowship from Friedrich-Naumann Foundation. (German  Scholarship to Promote Talented Postgraduates Students).

·         Bachelor (BS) / Masters of Science (M.Sc.) in Geology,1992

FAU/University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.           

 

Teaching/Instructional and SCHOLARY EXPERIENCE AND INTERESTS:

(2001- Present)

Lecturer: California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), Department of Geosciences and Environment, Los Angeles: Teaching various graduate and undergraduate courses including:

·         Earth Science (Geol. 101),

·         Earth Science Education for Elementary Teachers (NATS 183),

·         Earth Science Education for Elementary Teachers (NATS 183-on-line/hybrid),

·         Oceanography lecture and lab (Geol. 1550),

·         Natural Disasters (Geol. 1580),

·         Earth Revealed lecture and lab (Geol. 1500),

·         Geosciences Careers (Geol. 300),

·         Transition to Cal State L.A. for Natural and Social Science Majors (NSS-301),

·         Mineralogy and Petrology (Geol. 3010),

·         Southern California Geology (Geol.3210),

·         Environmental Geology of Developing Nations (Geol. 351),

·         Urban Geology (Geol.3570),

·         Hydrogeology (Geol. 4840),

·         Vadose Zone Hydrogeology (Geol. 5610),

·         Contaminant Hydrogeology (Geol. 5620),

·         Contaminant Hydrogeology -Seminar (Geol.5700).

  • RECENT POSITION/ CERVICES:

         Working as Faculty at Geosciences and Environment Department conducting the following services and activities:

  • Serving in Course Assessment and receiving Assessment Project Mini Grant
  • Serving in NSS Research Grant Advisory Committee member reviewing faculty grants.
  • Serving as Faculty Advisor for Graduate and Undergraduate Students
  • Serving as a faculty member participant in REU - NSF grant.
  • Serving on the committee to develop a BA in environmental studies.
  • Mentoring students in research and serving in Master thesis and comprehensive exam committee.
  • Serving as lab coordinator for Geol.1500, 1550, and 1580
  • Member of Learning Community Project and collaborating w/ Geography Department.Member of Oceanography Lab Manual Review Committee: revising, modifying, and preparing experiments for the chemical characteristics of seawater for oceanography lab; coordinating and organizing ocean water lab sessions.
  • Arranging, organizing, conducting oceanography and geology field trips and cruises,Purchasing department lab facilities and equipment for oceanography and geology lab and maintaining, arranging the lab materials for oceanography and geology courses
  • Participating and serving in VIP Day, on Sat. April 18th, 2008 conducting mineral sale, and promoting geology, hydrogeology program 

  • Developing variety of hands-on, innovative experiential learning methods in classroom

  • Advising prospective geology major students for future job opportunities

  • Preparing Science Olympiad hands-on tests and questions for Oceanography discipline for the years 2007 & 2008, serving as judge or event Capitan.

 

RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES:

Current and Past Research Project/Activities at Geosciences and Environment Department, CSULA:

(Aug 2021- Present) Water Movement and Contaminant Migration in Vadose Zone  

(Feb 2019 – Present) Ballona Lagoon and Del Rey lagoon

(June 2017-Present) Los Angeles River Nitrate Project

(January 2016- 2017) Ballona Creek Lagoon Project. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) in Water, Sediment, Pore Water, and Biomass of Ballona Lagoons, CA; Funded by COAST.

(June 2015-2016): Ballona-Del Rey Lagoon Project. Funded by COAST. Collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego

(May 2014-2016): Borrego Valley (BV) Groundwater Contamination Project.  The source of As and NO3 in BV. Collaboration with Department of Water and Power (DWP).

(June 2013-2014): Coupling Between the Changes in CO2 Concentration and Sediment Biogeochemistry in Mudflat of Salinas De San Pedro, California. Collaboration with the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Chapman University, Orange, CA

(May 2013-2014):C/N Ratio in Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro, San Pedro Bay CA.  Collaboration with the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Chapman University, Orange, CA

(January 2013-2014): Biogeochemistry of Salinas de San Pedro; Determination of Trace and Heavy Metals Bioavailability to Benthic Organism such as Bivalves and Gastropods in Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro, California. Collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego

(June-September 2011): Linking Groundwater Quality and Quantity: An Assessment of Satellite-Based Groundwater Storage Anomalies from GRACE Against Ground Measurements of Contaminants in California Research collaboration with JPL: The research described in this project was carried out by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Funded by PCC (Pasadena City College) CTE Community Collaborative, Workforce Innovation Partnership Grant

(2009-2013): Salinas de San Pedro Geochemical Investigation;  Collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

(2009-2015): Distribution of heavy metals and Trace elements in the Los Angeles River Watershed during the Wet and Dry Period Collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego and CSU Bakersfield.

(2004-2009): Southern Togo River Watershed Investigation. Presence and Distribution of Toxic Trace Elements in Water and Sediments of southern Togo Watershed, Togo, West Africa. Collaboration with University of Lome, Togo, West Africa and with Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UC San Diego.

(1990-1997) Research Assistant at Department of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany; Conducting scientific research in geology and environmental geology:

Conducting field activities including drilling, soil sampling, well construction, aquifer testing and ground water sampling. Analyzed and evaluated the concentration of heavy metals and organic substances in landfill drainage, water and sediments soil samples. Designed and built a lysimeter for natural extraction of contaminated soil

Developing geo-chemical computer models of contaminant movement in the environment and prepared scientific reports.

Developing an economical, cost-effective, reliable environmentally safe process for cleaning of contaminated soil and industrial byproducts. Produced an inert aggregate from industrial residue such as red mud (sludge of aluminum industry).

Involved in set-up of analytical section of landfill project.  Analyzed and evaluated landfill drainage.  Analyzed and identified a high concentration of pesticide (DIURON and MCPA) in landfill material.  Evaluated the data by using statistical methods. 

Analyzing and identified a high concentration of PAH in fine grained building material (soot-like sediments).  Developed a pilot project for burning (immobilization) of organic substances in this contaminated material (rotary kiln).

Developing a cost-effective method for removing and disposing of river mud settling in the basins of German estuarine and river harbors; developed a process for stabilization and solidification (S/S) of heavy metal in harbor mud. The method involves mixing liquid or semi solid waste with binders to produce a solid, which is structurally sound and relatively impermeable. 

Conducting SEM analysis for burned and unburned sediments. Conducted differential thermal analysis (DTA–Analysis) for the thermal behavior of fine grain soot-like sediments. Conducted advance mineralogical investigation for determining of mineralogical changes before and after thermal treatment.  Prepared and evaluated thin sections of ceramic pellets.

Developing of a model experiment for infiltration and leaching behavior of organic and inorganic substance in natural and lab situation (lysimeter test).

Presented the result of research project for many international and national conferences.

 

Serving in Master Thesis and undergraduate projects Supervision:

 

(2021-Present): Graduate Thesis Research Study on Modeling of Water Movement and Contaminant Migration in Shallow Vadose Zone. Graduate Student: Anita Cervantes

·         (2019-Present): Undergraduate Research Study in Ballona and Del Rey Lagoon on nitrate discharge funded by coast grant.

·         (2017-Present): Undergraduate Honor Thesis Supervision: Topic: Los Angeles River Nitrate Discharge from Waste Water Treatment Plant. Undergraduate student: Sonoka Takagi

       (2016-Present): Graduate Master Thesis Supervision. Topic: Oil Production Issues in Nigeria, Africa. Graduate Student: Jason W. Scott,

       (2016-Present): Undergraduate Research Study Supervision, Christian Ramirez. Funded by COAST grant

       (2015-Present): Undergraduate Research Study. Topic: Ballona Lagoon, CA, supervising Funded by COAST grant; undergraduate. Undergraduate students: Alissa Magana and Brian Ly.

       (2013-2016) Graduate Master Thesis supervision. Rose E. Santilena; Topic: Horseshoe Lake: A Geochemical Study of a Lake in a High CO2 Region

       (2013-2014): Graduate Independent Study. Borrego Valley Groundwater Project; Supervising graduate students: Jessica Chaney and Bradley Bowers

       (2011-2013): Graduate Master Thesis supervision: Supervising graduate student at Cal State LA Sonya Diaz.  Topic: Sediment and water quality of San Pedro Bay in low and high tide.

       (2010-2013):  Graduate Master Thesis supervision:  Supervising graduate student: Carl Voo at Cal State LA. Topic: Los Angeles River Watershed; Hydrochemistry and Water Quality Trends.

       (2012-2013): Undergraduate project supervision; Supervising undergraduate student: Sonya Diaz; Topic: The Biogeochemistry of Heavy Metals in Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon, California.

       (2010-2012): Undergraduate project supervision; Supervising undergraduate students: Vanessa Torres; Topic: The Geochemistry of Heavy Metals in Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon, California

       (2009-2010): Undergraduate project supervision; Supervising undergraduate students: Matthew Tsang;  Topic: The Geochemistry of Heavy Metals in Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon, California

       (2008-2009): Undergraduate project supervision; Supervising undergraduate students: Teresa Lazarreto;  Topic: The Geochemistry of Heavy Metals in Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon, Californi

       (2008-2009):  Post Graduate Ph.D. thesis supervision (co-supervisor): Post graduate student: Kuffi Tomety Mensah Folly, the University of Lomé, Togo; Topic: Distribution, Speciation and Extractability of Cadmium in the Sedimentary Phosphorite of Hahotoé-Kpogamé (Southern Togo).

       (2007-2008):  Graduate Master thesis Supervision:Supervising graduate student Maryam Taidi: Topic: Selenium and Water Quality Patterns at the Estuarine Interface of San Diego Creek, Orange County, CA.

       (2005-2006):   Graduate Master thesis supervision: Supervising graduate student:  Mercedes Merino: Topic: Source Determination of Groundwater Salinity in the Rio Grande Alluvial Aquifer: El Paso Valley, Texas.

 

Selected Abstracts and Publications:

PEER REVIEWED PAPERS:                                 * CSULA Students as co-author

*Rezaie-Boroon, M.H., Acosta, O., Chipres, R., Cox, C., Diemel, F., Ho, N., Li, S.N., Lopez, R., Luque, M., Martinez, M., Palacios, D. and Wright, J. (2017) Water Flow Path Characterization in Shallow Vadose Zone Using Tensiometers—A Technical Report and the Preliminary Results of a Pilot Project. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 9, 1082- 1096.

* REZAIE BOROON, M. H., RAMIREZ, C., Nguyen, H. (in preparation): Anthropogenic Organic Contaminants in Water and Sediments of Ballona and Del Rey Lagoons of Los Angeles, California, USA.

* REZAIE BOROON, M. H., Magana, A., Ly, B. (in preparation): Urban Water and Sediment Quality Assessment of the Ballona-del Rey Lagoons, California, USA. 

* REZAIE BOROON, M. H.  & Carl Brian Von L. Coo (2015): Urban Water Quality Assessment of the Los Angeles River Watershed, California, USA in Wet and Dry Weather Periods. Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International, 3(4): 1-17, 2015; Article # JGEESI.20717- ISSN: 2454-7352

* Rezaie Boroon, M.H., Chaney, J. & Bowers, B. (2014): The Source of Contamination of Nitrate and Arsenic in Borrego Valley, CA.  Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2014, 6, 1589-1602.

* Rezaie Boroon, M.H. & diaz, s. & Torres, V. & Deheyn, D.D. (2014): GIS Application and Modeling in Monitoring Water Quality in Salinas de San Pedro, San Pedro Bay, California, USA. ESRI Conference, July 15th, 2014.

* Rezaie Boroon, M.H. & diaz, s. & Torres, V. & Deheyn, D.D. (2014): Determination of Metals in Biomass from Southern CA Salt Marsh, USA. Journal of Harmonized Research in Applied Sciences 2(3), 2014,159-173.

* Rezaie Boroon, M.H. & diaz, s. & Torres, V. & Lazzaretto, T; Tsang, M. Deheyn, D.D. (2013): Coupling Between the Changes in CO2 Concentration and Sediment Biogeochemistry in Mudflat of Salinas De San Pedro, California, USA. Journal of Environmental Protection JEP, Vol. 10 No 4. 1173-1180. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jep.2013.410134.

* Rezaie Boroon, M.H. & Torres, V. & diaz, s. & Lazzaretto, T; Tsang, M. Deheyn, D.D. (2013): The Geochemistry of Heavy Metals in Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon, California. Journal of Environmental Protection, 2013, 4, 12-25. doi:10.4236/jep.2013.41002.   

REZAIE BOROON, M.H. & FISHER, B.J. (2012): Linking Groundwater Quality and Quantity: An Assessment of Satellite-Based Groundwater Storage Anomalies from GRACE against Ground Measurements of Contaminants in California. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering B 1 (2012) 1271-1284.

REZAIE-BOROON, M.H. & Gnandi, K.& Tomety Folly, K. (2011): Presence and Distribution of Toxic Trace Elements in Water and Sediments of the Southern Togo Rivers Watershed, West Africa, PSP Environmental Bulitin, Vol 20, No 7.

Gnandi, K.; Han, S. Rezaie-Boroon, M.H.; Porrachia, M.; Deheyn, D.D. (2011): Increased Bioavailability of Mercury in the Lagoons of Lomé, Togo: The Possible Role of Dredging; AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 2011, Volume 40, Number 1, Pages 26-42.

GNANDI, K. & Rezaie Boroon. M. H. & Edorth, P. (2009): The Geochemical Characterization of Mine Effluents from the Phosphorite Processing Plant of Kpémé (Southern Togo). - Mine Water and the Environment Journal; Vol 28, No 1, 65-73; Berlin, Germany.

GNANDI, K. & Rezaie Boroon. M. H. Deheyn, D. D. (2009): Distribution, Speciation and Bioavailability of Trace Metals in the Sedimentary Phosphorite of Hahotoé-Kpogamé Southern Togo. Aquatic Geochemistry Journal, Vol. 15.

GNANDI, K. & Rezaie Boroon. M. H. & Deheyn, D. D. (2007): Distribution, Speciation and Extractability of Cadmium in the Sedimentary Phosphorite of Hahotoé-Kpogamé (Southern Togo), Paper published in the Journal of the 3rd International Conference on Environmental science and Technology in Houston, Texas, Aug 6-9 2007.

REZAIE BOROON, M.H. & BAIER, A. & LÜTTIG, G. W. (1997): Petrology and Origin of Rocks of Dietfurt-Griesstetten in Neumarrkt/Opf: U. Böhner: Geology of Main-Donau Kanal, Vol. 10, 83-132, Erlangen, Germany.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. (1997): An Investigation for Immobilization of Organic and Inorganic Substances in the Mixture of Contaminated Fine-Grained Building Waste Material and Industrial Residues- A Geotechnical Study with Regard to its Stability as a Secondary Building Material. Dissertation, 173 Pages, 49 Tables, 44 Diagrams, 37 Photos, University of Erlangen Nuremberg, Germany.

LÜTTIG, G. W. & REZAIE BOROON, M. H. (1996): Hydrological Aspect of the Reuse of Harbor Mud and Sludge, Wasserwirtschaft, Vol. 9/96, 458-463. Verlag Vieweg, Wiesbaden, Germany.

LÜTTIG, G. W. & REZAIE BOROON, M. H. (1995): Contribution to Reuse of Harbor Mud: Bautechnik Journal 72 /95, Vol. 12, 803-809.  Ernst & Sohn Verlag, Berlin, Germany.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. (1993): Harbor Mud, An Unpleasant River Freight and Possibilities of Disposal by Recycling: Solidification/Stabilization Process of Heavy Metal in Harbor Mud and Industrial Waste to a Lightweight Aggregate, Heidelberger Geowissenschaftliche Abhandlungen, Vol. 67; 124-125, Heidelberg, Germany.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. (1992): Solidification/Stabilization Process of Heavy Metal in Harbor Mud by Using Fly Ash. M.Sc. Thesis, 76 Pages, 9 Tables, 27 Diagrams,17 photos, University of Erlangen Nuremberg, Germany.

PAPERS IN Preparation: *CSULA Students as co-author          

REZAIE BOROON, M.H. (in preparation): Comprehensive Inventory of Lagoons of southern CA. Technical Report.

 

REZAIE BOROON, M.H. (in preparation): Comprehensive Watershed Project Monitoring, evaluation, and Inventory” as a part of CalFed Ecosystem Restoration Proposal.

 

 

ABSTRACTS :

 

CAMPOS, G.J. ESTRADA, M., KWAN, P. VENEGAS, D., REZAIE -BOROON, M. H. (2021):  Monitoring Water Quality in Ballona Lagoon: Nitrate Level Fluctuation in Low and High Tide Conditions. GSA Conference 2020

Baker, R., Campos, G., Cortez, A. Estrada, M., Kwan, P., Ly, B. Magana, A., Nguyen, H. Ramirez, C., Venegas, D., Rezaie Boroon, M.H. (2020): Anthropogenic Polycyclic Hydrocarbon (PAH)

and Nitrate in Sediment and Water of Ballona and Del Rey Lagoons of Los Angeles, California, GSA meeting in Pasadena.

REZaie Boroon, M.H, SEAMAYER-Chaney, J. & Bowers, B. (2019): The Source of Contamination of Nitrate and Arsenic in Borrego Valley, the SW of the USA GSA Annual Meeting AZ, 2019.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H., RAMIREZ, C., Nguyen, H. (2017): Anthropogenic Organic Contaminants in Water and Sediments of Ballona and Del Rey Lagoons of Los Angeles, California, USA. GSA Annual Meeting in Seattle, US 2017.

Rezaie BoroON, M.H., Carl Brian, von L. Coo (2015): Water Quality Assessment of the Los Angeles River Watershed, California, USA in Wet and Dry Weather Periods, AGU Conference in San Francisco, Dec. Poster Presentation.

Rezaie Boroon, M. H, fisher J. (2015) Satellite-Based Groundwater Storage Anomalies Assessment Against Ground Measurements of Contaminants in California.  E-Poster, 42th IAH. Hydrogeology: Back to the Future, 13-18th September, Rome, Italy.

Rezaie-Boroon, M.H, Diaz, S. (2014) The Effects of Elevated CO2 Driven by Groundwater and Oil Reservoir on the Pore Water Chemistry and Sediment Quality of Tidal Mud Flat of San Pedro Marsh, California, Vancouver, Canada.

 

Rezaie-Boroon, M.H, Diaz, S., Deheyn, D.D. (2014) Geochemical signatures of metals in intertidal invertebrates of Salinas de San Pedro, CA, USA. Goldschmidt Conference, Sacramento, CA

Rezaie-Boroon, M.H, Diaz, S.,TorREs, V. (2014): Use of Remote Sensing and GIS in Monitoring Water Quality in Salinas de San Pedro, San Pedro Bay, California, USA. WRaH conference in DC April 7-9th 2014.

Rezaie-Boroon, M.H, Diaz, S.,TorREs, V., DEHEYN, D.D. (2014): GIS Application and Modeling in Monitoring sediment and Water Quality, ESRI, San Diego.

Rezaie-Boroon, M.H, Diaz, S.,TorRes, V. (2014): Monitoring Water Quality in San Pedro Bay, USA, using of Remote Sensing and GIS. International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, June 2014, Houston, Texas.

Rezaie Boroon, M.H.; Torres, V.; DIAZ (2013): Coupling Between the Changes in CO2 Concentration and Sediment Biogeochemistry in Mudflat of Salinas De San Pedro, California, USA. AGU Fall 2013 Meeting San Francisco.

Rezaie Boroon, M.H.; Torres, V.; DIAZ (2013): The Enrichment of Arsenic and other Metals in Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon in a Specific Biogeochemical and Tectonic-Geomorphic settings. Washington DC.

Rezaie Boroon, M.H.; Torres, V.; DIAZ, S.; Lazzaretto, T; Tsang; Deheyn, D.D. (2013): Signatures of Natural and Anthropogenic Impact in Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon, California” has been accepted for poster presentation at the joint 2013 PS-AAPG/SPEWR meeting at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey, CA.

Rezaie Boroon, M.H.; Torres, V.; DIAZ, S.; Lazzaretto, T; Tsang; Deheyn, D.D. (2012): Arsenic and Heavy Metals pollution in mudflat sediments of Salinas de San Pedro. Oral Presentation, GSA Meeting Charlotte, North Carolina, Nov. 5-7.

Rezaie Boroon, M.H.; Torres, V.; DIAZ, S. Lazzaretto, T; Tsang; Deheyn, D.D. (2012): The Geochemistry of Heavy Metals in Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon, California; AAPG AnNUAL MEETING, 22-25 April; Long Beach, ca.

REZAIE BOROON, M.H. & J. B Fisher (2012): An Assessment of Satellite-Based Groundwater Storage Anomalies from GRACE Against Ground Measurements of Contaminants in California; AGU Chapman Conference on Remote Sensing of the Terrestrial Water Cycle, February 2012, Kona, Hawaii, 19 –22.

REZAIE BOROON, M.H. & J. B Fisher (2011): Linking Groundwater Quality and Quantity: An Assessment of Satellite-Based Groundwater Storage Anomalies from GRACE Against Ground Measurements of Contaminants in California; AGU Meeting Dec 5th -7th 2011, San Francisco.

Brian Von L. Coo & REZAIE BOROON, M. H. (2011): Los Angeles River Watershed Hydrochemistry and Water Quality Trends -A time Series Analysis- Poster presentation at CSUN a part of AAPG-SEG EXPO meeting Oct 2011, Northridge, CA, USA.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. & RAMIREZ, P. & GNANDI, K. (2010): Geochemistry of The Phosphate Deposits in Togo, West Africa. EngEx 2010 Conference & Exhibition: July 29th – 31st at the San Diego Convention Center.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. & RAMIREZ, P. & GNANDI, K. (2010): Geochemistry and Sedimentology of Eocene Phosphate Deposits in Togo, West Africa, Abstract/poster presentation at Annual Meeting of Southern CA Academy of Science, CSULA, Los Angeles, CA, May 2010.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H., GNANDI, K, TOMETY-MENSAH, F. (2010): Geochemistry and Metals Distribution in Sediments of Southern Togo Rivers Watershed, West Africa, Abstract/poster presentation at Annual Meeting of Southern CA Academy of Science, CSULA, Los Angeles, CA, May 2010.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. & RAMIREZ, P. & GNANDI, K. (2009): Geochemical, Mineralogical, Sedimentological Investigation of Phosphorite and its Clay Rich Mine Tailing from a Phosphate Mine, Togo, West Africa. Poster Presentation at AGU Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Dec. 12-18th 2009.

REZAIE-BOROON, M.H. & RAMIREZ, P. & GNANDI, K. (2009): Combined Geochemical and Digenetic Processes Control the Cadmium Enrichment in Sedimentary Phosphorites from Togo, West Africa. Poster presentation at USGS Symposium, Nov20th, 2009.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. & Gnandi, K. & TOMETY, K. (2009): A Review of the Source, Behavior and Distribution of Arsenic in Natural Waters of Southern Togo, West Africa. Session Number 174: Geochemistry of Arsenic and Other Toxic Elements and Assessment of Environmental Risks in Global Groundwater Systems (Poster). GSA meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA.

REZAIE-BOROON, M.H. & RAMIREZ, P. & GNANDI, K. (2009): Combined Geochemical and Digenetic Processes Control the Cadmium Enrichment in Sedimentary Phosphorites from Togo, West Africa. Abstract/poster presentation at Annual Meeting of Southern CA Academy of Science, Palos Verdes, CA May 29-30, 2009.

REZAIE-BOROON, M.H. & RAMIREZ, P. & GNANDI, K. (2009): Geochemical and Preliminary Sedimentological Analysis of Phosphorites from Togo, West Africa. Abstract/poster presentation at AAPG Regional Meeting, Ventura, CA, May 3-5, 2009.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. & Gnandi, K. & TOMETY, K. (2009): Distribution of heavy metals in Mono, Haho, and Zio Rivers – an Environmental Impact Assessment of the southern Togo Rivers watershed-. GSA meeting in BC, Canada, May 2009, abstract/poster presentation.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. & Gnandi, K. & TOMETY, K. (2009): Distribution of organic and inorganic substances in Mono, Haho, and Zio Rivers – an Environmental Impact Assessment of the southern Togo Rivers watershed-. International Symposium on Environmental Science and Technology June2-5 2009.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H.  (2008): Beautiful Togo beaches, where is the sand? A brief evaluation on Environmental Condition and Coastal Erosion of Togo requested by US Embassy in Lomé. –An internal geotechnical report, 3 pages. 4 Photos.

Gnandi, K. and  REZAIE BOROON, M. H (2005): The Role of Coastal Currents and Seawater Salinity on the Behavior of Trace Metals in Coastal Environment of Togo (Africa) Polluted by the Dumping of Phosphate Mine Tailing, Abstract, Vol1, New Orleans Journal of The First International Conference on Environmental Technology, 2005 Abstract 1, Vol. 1. New Orleans, LA, USA.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. & Gnandi, Kissao (2005): Persistent Organic Pollutants and Heavy Metals in Soils and Stream Sediment in the Mono River Watershed Basin (Togo, Africa), Journal of The First International Conference on Environmental Technology, 2005; Abstract 1, Vol. 1. New Orleans, LA, USA.

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. & TOBSCHALL, H. J. (1996): Leaching Behavior of Contaminated Fine Grained Demolished Building Waste Material. Journal of Conference Abstracts 1, Vol. 1, 506-507, Cambridge Publication, UK. http://www.the-conference.com/JConfAbs/1/506.html

REZAIE BOROON, M. H. & TOBSCHALL, H. J. (1994): Reusing Process of Silt Size Fractions of Contaminated Building Waste Material, Heidelberger Geowissenschaftliche Abhandlungen, Vol. 78; 25-26, Heidelberg, Germany.

Awards and GrantS:

2021-2022 (3 units release time): Exceptional Service to Studemts Award

2021 ($1500) NSS Graduate Reseach Assistance grant: Grant recipient: Anita Cervantes

2020 ($ 1500) NSS COURSE ASSESSEMENT MINI GRANT

2020 ($250.000) SERVING AS FACULTY member PARTICIPANT IN REU-NSF GRANT (in Progress). Grant recipient: Community College Students

2019 ($1500) COAST Grant for Del Rey Lagoon Grant Research; Grant recipient: Angelica Cortez

2016 ($ 2,500) COAST Grant for Del Rey Lagoon Grant Research; Grant recipient: Chris Ramirez

2016 ($ 2,500) COAST Grant for Del Rey Lagoon Grant Research; Grant recipient: Alissa Magana (in process)

2015 ($ 1000) COAST Grant for Ballona Grant Research; Grant recipient: Alissa Magana

2013 ($ 4000) Students Research Support Grant (Coastal Work Study Grant)

CSULA Graduate Student Grant:  Sonya Diaz (CSULA Graduate student) receives this grant for working in Salinas de San Pedro Project

2011 ($12,000) Awarded Faculty Fellowship Grant from CTE Community Collaborative, Workforce Innovation Partnership Grant

2009 ($22,000) Awarded Fulbright Research Scholarship form “Council for International Exchange of Scholars” (CIES) for academic year 2008-2009.

2009 ($100) Best Poster Award for poster presentation in Physical science Category, Southern CA, Academy of Science meeting in Spring 2009, Los Angeles.

2000- Faculty Merit Increase (FMI) – Awarded two times a merit pay increase by the Department of Geological Sciences at California State University San Bernardino.

Received SSI (Service Based Salary Increase on the basis of performance during the academic year 2003-2004 at Cal State LA)

1993- Awarded four years Ph.D. research grant from Friedrich-Naumann Foundation in Germany: “Scholarship to Promote Talented Postgraduates Students; (Begabten Foerderung von Nauman Stiftung)

 

WORKSHOPS AND NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES ATTENDED

(2017) ACUE/CTEL on-Line Course Redesign Certificate

(2017) Canvas On-Line Certificate Teaching Course, Foothill Community College

(2015) ACUE, Certificate in Effective College Instruction 

(2015) CETL Faculty Learning Community (FLC)

(2015) Grant supported Summer Science Academy for redesigning courses., Cal State LA, CETL, Summer

(2014) CTEL; grant supported Spring Academy. Designing Moodle courses, Cal State LA, Spring 2014

(2013) STEM, Bottleneck or Course Redesign Institut

(2013) Top Hat Monocle-On-line Respond System for Students Engagement in class. On-line Training, Feb 22nd, 2013

(2013) Workshop on Environmental Education and Sustainability at CSULA; Feb 2nd, 2013 CSULA

(2012) Oak Crest Research Institute, Pasadena. Learning spectroscopy and Colorimeters techniques in Spectrophotometer and Colorimeter workshop. Certificate. May 17th 2012.

(2011) Site Mitigation Assessment Review Team (SMART): Training course by California emergency management agency. California Polytechnics State University, September 7th, 2011.

(2011) Climate Change Workshop. Workforce Innovation Partnership Teacher Training Workshop, June 25th, conducted by The Oak Crest Institute of Science. 

(2010) NASA/JPL Workshop for Educators: GCC/PCC Joint workshop on using JPL educational resources in classroom. Certificate, June 2010 Glendale, CA. CTE Community Collaborative, Workforce Innovation Partnership Grant.

(2009) Attending learning community workshop at CSULA. Developed “Los Angeles, Hazard City” theme for Geography and Geology Teach Teaching.

(2009) Participating in an African Regional Research Program as part of my Fulbright position in summer 2008.

(2008) Conducting research on “Environmental Impacts of Mining Activities and the Distribution of Pollutants in Coastal Togo” at the University of Lomé,  Lomé, Togo.

(2008) Developing the Oceanography Course Curriculum (lecture and lab) for Science Department at university of Lomé, Togo. (This course for the first time will be taught at UL using this curriculum)

(2008) Attending the Los Angeles Science Olympiad as an “Event Judge” for second time observing the competition, interpret the rules for the event, and calculate the score for each of the teams competing in the event, March 2008.

(2007) Attending the 3rd International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology in Houston, Texas, Aug 6-9 2007.

(2007) Attending the Los Angeles Science Olympiad as an “Event Judge” observing the competition, interpret the rules for the event, and calculate the score for each of the teams competing in the event, March 2007. 

(2006) Attending11th Annual Tech-Ed Conference on Technology in Education, Convention for educators and businesses to share ideas about technology in education, Pasadena, March 26-29th 2006.

(2005) Attending Satellite & Education Conference XVIII, CSULA, August 16-20, 2005

(2005) Attending the first International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology January 2005, in New Orleans, LA., presented poster.

(2001) Attending workshop for Calibrated Peer Review (CPR) for Science Courses- August 2001, UCLA, Los Angeles CA.

(2000) Attending conference and workshop on Best Teaching Practices-“looking back-looking forward”, April 2000, CSUDH, Carson, CA.

 

 

 

 

(1999) Attending ConcepTest in Science Courses-Workshop for an interactive science class; Dec. 1999, UCLA, Los Angeles CA.

(1999) Attending workshop on Part-Time Instruction at PCC and Responsibilities-Flex-Day at PCC -April 1999, Pasadena CA.

(1999) Attending various local Branner Club meetings at Caltech.

(1996) Attending Geotechnica Conference; Poster Presentation, Germany, May 1996.

(1994) Attending International Natural Disasters Seminar on Predicting, Mitigation of Earthquake Activities, June 1994, Tehran, Iran.

 

INVITED TALKS/PRESENTATION:

(September 2014):  The Source of Contamination of Nitrate and Arsenic in Borrego Valley, CA. 

(July 2014): GIS Application and Modeling in Monitoring Water Quality in San Pedro Bay, Salinas de San Pedro, California. ESRI Conference, San Diego, CA

(June 2011): Presentation at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology, Linking Groundwater Quality and Quantity: An Assessment of Satellite-Based Groundwater Storage Anomalies from GRACE against Ground Measurements of Contaminants in California

(June 2010): Southern California Coast Geology Association: Invited talk on Geochemical and Preliminary Sedimentological Analysis of Phosphorites from Togo, West Africa.

(May 2010): Fulbright Orientation workshop/talk: CIES Convention and Orientation for Sub Sahara Fulbright Scholars.

(August 2008): Interview on Environmental Condition of Southern Togo; at Radio Metropolys 97.1 FM station, an English Radio Station in Lomé, Togo.

(June 2008): Talk at US Embassy, University of Lomé, arranged by US Embassy in Lomé, Togo: Environmental Impact Assessment of Togo Watershed.

(December 2009): Talk at Cal State LA at Geological Sciences Department “Brown Bag Talk” An Environmental Impact Assessment of the Southern Togo Watershed:  A Preliminary Report on a Fulbright Research Scholarship Journey to West Africa, Summer 2008.

(March 2007): Talk at Cal State LA at Geological Sciences Department, “Brown Bag Talk” on “Environmental Condition of Caspian Sea”.

(December 2003): Talk at CSU San Bernardino, Regional CSU Regional Symposium on “University Teaching”, CA.

(December 2004): Talk at Cal State LA, as a part of Science Lectures Series, on “Los Angeles River”.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

  • American Geologic Union- AGU Member
  • Geologic Society of America, GSA Member (GSA Representative for Cal State LA)
  • South Coast Geological Society-SCGS Member
  • American Chemical Society-ACS member, (southern CA section)
  • California Faculty Association-CFA member
  • Association of University Professors/California Teachers Association
  • National Education Association
  • Association of California Environmental Assessors
  • German Environmental, Mineralogical and Geology Society.
  • Los Angeles Basin Geological Association
  • Friends of LA River Association

TRAINING COURSES AND WORKSHOPS ATTENDED-LIST OF CERTIFICATES:

(2017) Certificate: Canvas On-Line Teaching Certificate, Foothill CC.

(2015) Certificate: Academic Success Academy. CETL, Cal State LA.

(2015) Certificate: Certificate of on-line Faculty Development.  Wired and Inspired. Cengage Leaning. Friday 8/14/2015 Continuing ed. Unit 0.3 (3 hrs)

(2014) Certificate: Online Institute on Teaching and Learning. March 24-27, 2014), CETL.

(2014) Certificate: Designing your blended (hybrid) course, 2 weeks, September 2014.

(2014) Certificate:  @ One on-line Teaching Certificate 

(2014) Certificate: Improving your on-line course-Quality matters workshop. 2 weeks workshop, September 2014.

(2013) Certificate: The Science of Persulfate Activation in contaminated site, FMC Environmental Solution

(2013) Certificate: On-line Respond System for Students Engagement in class. On-line Training, Top Hat Monocle Inc.-Feb 22nd, 2013

(2013) Certificate: Workshop on Environmental Education and Sustainability at CSULA; Feb 2nd, 2013 CSULA

(2012) Certificate: Colorimeters and Spectrophotometers workshop, the Oak Crest Research Institute, Pasadena. May 17th, 2012.

(2011) Certificate: Workshop on Climate Change. A one-day workshop, by Workforce Innovation Partnership Teacher Training Workshop, June 25th, conducted by the Oak Crest Institute of Science, Pasadena.

(2011) Certificate: Site Mitigation Assessment Review Team (SMART): Training course by California emergency management agency. California Polytechnics State University, CSULB, one-day certificate course September 7th, 2011.

(2010) Certificate: Water quality seminar, a one-day seminar at Oak Crest Institute. Pasadena.

(2007) Certificate: 2 days Environmental workshop in Pasadena on Monitored Natural Attenuation presented by North West Training Center, Nov. 4-5, 2007. (Awarded 1.3 continuing education units).

(2006) Certificate: 2 days Environmental Forensic Workshop in Pasadena presented by North West Training Center, June 20-21, 2006. (Awarded 1.3 continuing education units).

(2002) Certificate: 5 days’ workshop on Groundwater Pollution and Hydrology Course, presented by the Princeton Groundwater Inc. July 22-26, 2002, San Francisco, CA. (Awarded 3.8 continuing education units).

 

LABORATORY AND RESEARCH SKILLS:

Handling mineralogical, geological, and hydrochemical equipment and analytical instruments, e.g., sample preparation for X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic-absorption-spectrometry (AAS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and differential thermal analysis (DTA), Ion Chromatography (IC). Design, identify, conduct, and report on experimental/ analytical tasks including working knowledge of various extraction methods in hydrology such as lysimeter test, river water groundwater sampling.  Operated the rock cutting facility and prepared thin section samples.

Determining physical and chemical characterization of waste materials, lightweight aggregate and groundwater. Analyze experimental data using statistical methods.

Using GPS devises for locating water and sediment sampling locations.

Experiences in using Arc view/GIS in oceanography and geology


BOOK CHAPTER REVEIWS /JOURNAL/ CURRICULUM PREPARATION:

Providing technical reviews for Oceanography as well as Natural Disasters book and various journals including:

Discipline reviewer for “Science Domain International”, Journal of Applied Science and Technology. (Letter of confirmation from CIES is attached)

Grant Reviewer: Serving on a Discipline Committee as Grant Reviewer for Environmental Science/Geosciences, Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), Fulbright Scholar Program (letter of confirmation from CIES is attached).

Oxford University Review Panel member reviewing various books such as Natural Disasters by Hyndman

Journal Geoscience Education Reviewer

Review Manuscript for Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International: Title: Geochemical and statistical approach to assessing trace metal accumulations in Lagos Lagoon Sediments

Developing the Oceanography Course Curriculum (lecture and lab) for Science Department at the University of Lomé, Togo. (This course will be taught for the first time at UL using this curriculum)

Chapter Review for Natural Disaster by Keller

Chapter Review for Natural Disaster by Abbott

Animation project review for Essential of Oceanography by Thurman and Trujillo

Natural Hazards Textbook, written by Robert Burger of Smith College, W.H. Freeman & Company

A Natural Hazards Textbook, written by Abbott, McGraw-Hill

Essential of Oceanography Textbook, selected chapters- written by Trujillo and Thurman, Prentice Hall.

 

COMPUTER/ GEOSCIENCE SOFTWARE SKILLS:

  • Geospatial analyses, remote sensing, ArcGIS functions including vector and raster data models analysis, the Arc Catalog in oceanography 
  • ArcView Data using GIS and Geo Databases for oceanography lab assignment and water contamination, using ESRI Data catalog,
  • Geological, hydrochemical, geo-chemical and mineralogical software: HYDRUS-1D, MINTEQA2, MODFLOW, CHEMFLO, DIFFRAC-AT, GIS, ArcWiew, Digital Field Mapping
  • Computer application, language and software: BASIC, HTML, MS-Word, WP, Access, Excel, SPSS, AutoCAD, PowerPoint, and Paint Shop Pro. 
  • Computer operating systems: DOS, UNIX (Solaris), Macintosh and Windows. 
  • Distance education and online instructional software and skills: Blackboard, WebCT, MOODLE, and CANVAS, On-Line/In-Class Response Systems including Top Hat Monocle, Clicker.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL WORKSHOP FOR PROFESSIONALS OUTSIDE CSULA:

  • Teaching Soil Science Course (2 day Workshop) to Environmental professional from state, government agencies and private sector, Pasadena Oct. 28 & 29, 2008

 

PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING EXPERIENCE:

Serving on a Discipline Committee as Grant Reviewer for Environmental Science/Geosciences, Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), Fulbright Scholar Program.

(2008) Northwest Environmental Training Center: Teaching Soil Science for Site Assessment and Remediation, Course ID: CHEM-406; Oct 28-29 Pasadena CA. 2 days workshop for environmental professional from state and federal government agencies as well as private companies and institutions.

(1998-Present)

California Environmental Assessor at Profile Environmental Consulting:

Conducting municipal geological and environmental investigations; Conducting “Phase I                     

“environmental assessment and writing environmental impact report for real estate transaction.

(06/99-09/99)

Staff Geologist at On-Site Environmental Staffing, Gardena, CA:

Performed various geological and geotechnical field investigations in Portuguese Bend and                  

Palos Verdes Golf Trail landslide area including soil and rock sampling, and soil compaction

tests.

(04/1998 - 10/1998)

Research Manager at Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA)/ Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC), Sacramento:

Conducted various high school outreach and public educational programs in member counties participating in regional environmental project including used oil and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) recycling programs. Writing and compiling grant application on “Comprehensive Watershed Project Monitoring, evaluation and Inventory” as a part of CalFed Ecosystem Restoration Proposal.

(1994-1997)

Research Assistant at Department of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany:

Teaching groundwater and surface water hydrology, and various seminars on                                       

environmental technology courses, including various extraction methods, remediation,                         

lysimeter experiment, geophysical methods, geochemistry, aquatic-geochemistry, and ecology.