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Fernando Rosario-Ortiz is a professor in civil, environmental and architectural engineering and faculty director of the Environmental Engineering Program. Fernando's academic background focuses on the study of environmental chemistry, particularly in the context of water treatment and the natural systems that affect the resource on which the planet and its inhabitants rely. As a native of Puerto Rico, Fernando realized that after Hurricane Maria struck in 2017, it was a good opportunity for him to go to the National Science Foundation and request funding to do an assessment of water quality in the aftermath of the hurricane.  The research conducted in his group focuses primarily with the areas of environmental chemistry and oxidative processes (e.g. ozone) during water and wastewater treatment. In addition, research is conducted on the characterization of organic matter in the environment. 

One of Fernando’s goals is to continue the upward trajectory of growing the EVEN program and improving the sense of community and diversity between students, faculty and staff.  

What is your motto?

Make every new day better than yesterday. 

Your coworkers can always count on you to...

Be on time. I strongly believe that to be on time is to be late. 

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I am a big fan of heavy metal music. I attend concerts as much as I can, and have built a decent collection of records. I take my oldest daughter, Veronika, to concerts when possible. She enjoys it as well, which is not the case for my younger daughter, Isabel.

One thing you’re willing to spend way too much on...

Travel. We travel as much as possible. 

Who would you most like to meet and why?        

It would have been interesting to meet Steve Jobs. The complexity of his character is fascinating.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, which coworker would you want to organize your rescue party, and why?

Any engineer who can build a boat out of sticks and mud. That's not me!

Which TV show do you never miss?

I am a big fan of The Office. The writing was very good. 

Who was the most famous person you met and where?

I had a chance to talk to the former governor of Puerto Rico about our work there after Hurricane Maria. 

What is your guilty pleasure? 

Nice piece of carrot cake.