Biography
Hector R. Fuentes is a full-tenured Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Florida International University (FIU). At FIU, Fuentes has been honored with the Awards for Excellence in Research, Teaching and Service. During the 80s, he was research scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He has also served as consultant to governmental organizations (e.g., NSF, USAID, USEPA, NSF, the Inter-American Development Bank, UNESCO), the private sector, and local organizations.
Fuentes received his Ph.D. degree in environmental and water resources engineering and earned master’s degrees in water resources and environmental engineering (1980) and in engineering management (1982) from Vanderbilt University. He holds a five-year B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the Industrial University, Columbia (1972). He was Assistant Professor at New Mexico Tech (1982-1985), and Assistant/Associate-tenured Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso (1985-1992). He holds professional engineering licenses in the States of New Mexico and Texas.
His research has been sponsored by DOE, NRC, Los Alamos National Laboratory, EPA, NSF and NASA, among others. His research and publications have focused on the study of the physics of water flow, and fate and transport of contaminants in surface and ground waters. He has developed and applied mathematical and computer models seeking solutions to problems, such as flooding, saline intrusion, and water quality management in natural and urban settings.
Professor Fuentes has also developed and taught engineering courses for undergraduate and graduate university curricula and professional organizations. He has advised, as major professor, graduate students, both at the doctoral and master’s levels, over the last four decades.
He is a Life Member of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists and a Lifetime Member of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors. He has also been lauded with honors, including awards and recognition, from professional organizations such as the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, the Water Environment Federation, and the Florida Water Environment Association.
Awards & Honors
- Life Member, American Academy of Env. Engineers & Scientists, AEESP, 2017
- Lifetime Member, Association of Env. Engineering and Science Professors, AEESP, 2017
- Distinguished Service Award, Association of Env. Engineering and Science Professors, AEESP, 2011
- Member, Board of Trustees, American Academy of Env. Engineers, AAEE, 2006-2010
- Excellence in Service Award, Florida International University, 2009
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Florida International University, 2001
- Excellence in Research Award, Florida International University, 1998
Education
- Ph.D., Environmental & Water Resources Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 1982
- MS, Engineering Management, Vanderbilt University, 1980
- MS, Water Resources & Environmental Engineering, Industrial University, 1982
- CE, Civil Engineering (5-year Program) 1972