Larry Olson
Dr. Olson’s research is focused on the chemical challenges of developing alternative fuels such as biodiesel from a variety of feedstocks and the environmental impact of these fuels. He is also involved in the use of nano scale materials and bioremediation agents for contaminated soils and water.
Recent publications include:
1. “Arsenate Removal by Iron (Hydr)oxide Modified Granulated Activated Carbon: Modeling Arsenate Breakthrough with the Pore Surface Diffusion Model.” Kiril D. Hristovski, Paul K. Westerhoff, John C. Crittendon, and Larry W. Olson, Separation Science and Technology (2008), 43, 3154 – 3167.
2. “Arsenate Removal by Nanostructured ZrO2 Spheres.” Kiril D. Hristovski, Paul K. Westerhoff, John C. Crittendon, and Larry W. Olson, Environmental Science and Technology (2008) 42, 3786-90.
3. “The Municipal Solid Waste System and Solid Waste Characterization in the Municipality of Veles, Macedonia.” Hristovski, K., Olson, L., Hild, N., Peterson, D. and Burge, S., Waste Management, 27, 1680-1689 (2007).
4. “Management of Chemicals for Sustainable Development.” L.W. Olson in B. Nath and L. Hens, Ed., The World Summit on Sustainable Development: The Johannesburg Conference, Springer, pp. 135-150 (2005).
5. “Health Impact and Control of Particulate Matter.” L. Olson and K. Boison in P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al (eds). Environmental Health Impacts of Transport and Mobility, 113-123, Springer (2005).
6. “Perchlorate: An Emerging Contaminant.” (2009) Larry W. Olson, Journal of Environmental Management Arizona, Vol 7, No. 1, p. 18.
7. “Carbon Capture and Storage” (2009) Larry W. Olson, Journal of Environmental Management Arizona, Vol 7, No. 4, p. 14.
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1974, Chemistry
B.S., Baylor University, 1970, Chemistry
Dr. Olson completed his Ph.D. work at Penn with Brad Wayland on nitrosyl complexes of metalloporphyrins and then was a post-doctoral fellow with Ted Brown at the University of Illinois in organometallic chemistry. He has also been a Visiting Professor in bio-inorganic chemistry at the University of Houston where he worked with Karl Kadish on electrochemistry of iron porphyrins and at Rice University where he worked with Lon Wilson on model systems for cytochrome c.
Following a career at Grand Canyon College as a Professor of Chemistry and then as Academic Dean and Administrative Vice President, Dr. Olson did extensive industrial consulting work involving air permitting, stack sampling, pollution prevention, and hazardous waste management. He was also a director of an environmental laboratory and conducted training for hazardous materials operations. In 1989 he moved to Arizona State University where he is currently an Associate Professor of Environmental Technology Management teaching courses such as Air Pollution, Chemistry of Hazardous Materials, Environmental Chemistry, and International Environmental Law and Policy.
For the past several years Dr. Olson has lectured in the Human Ecology program at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium and on atmospheric chemistry in the aero sciences program at Baylor University.