Dr. Kolm’s specialty is in the fields of hydrogeology, hydrologic and environmental systems analysis, and ecosystem characterization. Since 1998, Dr. Kolm holds a research geologist/hydrologist appointment with the Environmental Research Division, Applied Geosciences and Environmental Management Section, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA. Since 2002, Dr. Kolm is also an Adjunct Professor with Washington State University where he conducts research in environmental systems analysis and paleoenvironmental implications for ancient cultural systems with a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research team sponsored by the National Science Foundation. From 1983 - 2001, he was an Associate Professor at the Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA. He retired from CSM in 2001. In the period 1980-1991, Dr. Kolm was also a Research Hydrologist and Contract Researcher with the U. S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Lakewood, Colorado, USA.

Dr. Kolm's research focuses on the hierarchical analysis of complex hydrological and environmental systems with emphasis on the areas of ground-water and surface water science and engineering, wetlands environments, expedited environmental site characterization and remediation, and landscape and ecosystem characterization. This research is geo-based, systems-oriented, multidisciplinary, and multi-scale, and incorporates the usage of both field and laboratory methods, and the usage of computer and mathematical modeling tools, such as GIS and MODFLOW, to solve environmental and engineering problems. He has recently taught courses in environmental systems analysis, environmental systems modeling, and earth and environmental systems.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Dr. Kolm’s formal undergraduate education, a B.S. in Geological Sciences at Lehigh University, was in the basic and engineering sciences. His graduate education, an M.S. and Ph.D. in Geology (minor in ecology) at the University of Wyoming, expanded on the basic knowledge of the geological and environmental sciences, and was multidisciplinary. His post-doctoral education consisted of gaining a broader knowledge in engineering science and design; ground-water science and engineering became the focal point. Industrial credibility was sought via registration and certification (Engineer-In-Training, Professional Hydrogeologist). This background, combined with employment experience primarily in the academic and government sectors, has allowed Dr. Kolm to establish teaching, research, and service programs resulting in recognition and contributions to the environmental profession.

The breadth of his teaching offerings, and his teaching evaluations can best summarize Dr. Kolm’s teaching contributions. He has taught courses in Physical Geology for Geoscience majors and engineers, Engineering and Environmental Geology, Field Geology for Geoscience majors and engineers, Engineering Geomorphology – Photointerpretation - Environmental Site Characterization, Hydrogeology - Groundwater Engineering, Hydrogeology Project Design (Water Well Construction and Design; Aquifer test analysis), and Earth and Environmental Systems at the undergraduate level; and Geological Applications of Remote Sensing, Introduction to Geochemistry, Advanced Groundwater, Fluvial Processes in Geomorphology, Environmental Systems Analysis, and Environmental Systems Modeling at the graduate level. His performance is consistently high for all levels of teaching (undergraduate, graduate, professional) and the Amoco Outstanding Teaching Award was awarded to him in 1985 for innovative and outstanding teaching. The successful presentations of 16 short courses/symposia, in conjunction with national societies, further this contribution regionally and nationally. Dr. Kolm’s main contribution has been to provide an outstanding experience to undergraduate and graduate students in the classroom, the laboratory, and in the field. These students are then well prepared for industrial, governmental, or academic experiences.

Dr. Kolm’s scholarship contributions can be best summarized by research, publication, and presentation of past and current work, and by the success of his former graduate students. He has four career pathways to note: pre-1980, 1980-1989, 1989-1996, and 1996-today. Dr. Kolm’s career pathway from 1973-1980 involved the development of teaching and research programs in primarily eolian geomorphology (and wind energy), and secondarily, general geomorphology and geological remote sensing as a graduate student at the University of Wyoming, and later as an Assistant Professor at the South Dakota School of Mines Department of Geology and Geological Engineering. This part of his career culminated in 6 technical reports, 8 abstracts and presentations, 7 refereed journal articles and proceedings, and 1 book (Interpretation of Windflow Characteristics from Eolian Landforms: GSA Special Paper 192). National and international recognition of this work was achieved when Dr. Kolm was invited to speak at one of the foremost workshop-conferences for eolian process/response systems held in Denmark. Two graduate students completed their work during this time period.

Dr. Kolm’s career path from 1980-1989 involved the development of teaching and research programs in geological engineering with a primary emphasis on ground-water science and engineering primarily in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, and with the USGS Water Resources Division in Lakewood, Colorado. This part of his career has culminated in 1 technical report, 16 abstracts and presentations, 10 refereed journal articles and proceedings, and one textbook (Water Well Design and Construction - Elsevier Science Publishers). Elsevier Science Publishers marketed the book primarily at the international level. Therefore, the Water Well Design and Construction textbook was published in the prestigious Developments in Geotechnical Engineering Series (No. 60). Eight graduate students completed their work under Dr. Kolm’s direction during this time and are successfully pursuing their careers (industrial and government sectors).

Dr. Kolm’s career path broadened to one of synthesis and systems analysis from 1989 - 1996 in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering. His teaching and research focused on the conceptualization and characterization of complex hydrological and environmental systems with emphasis on the areas of ground-water science and engineering, environmental site characterization and analysis, and landscape characterization and modeling. Dr. Kolm’s research became systems-oriented, multidisciplinary, and multi-scale, and incorporates the usage of both field and laboratory methods, and the usage of computer and mathematical modeling tools, such as GIS and MODFLOW, to solve environmental and engineering problems. This part of his career has culminated in 7 technical reports, 53 abstracts and presentations, 21 refereed journal articles, and one book (Advanced Techniques for Solving Groundwater Contaminant Problems: Special Issue of Engineering Geology, Elsevier publishers). 13 graduate students have completed their work under Dr. Kolm’s direction during this time and are successfully pursuing their careers (industrial and government sectors).

Dr. Kolm’s current career path (1996 – present) expands on the systems analysis theme to include new physical settings, such as watershed-scale studies and wetlands studies; water quality and pollution research; and new associations with archaeological and anthropological research. These current studies were originally conducted as part of the Division of Environmental Science and Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, and are now being conducted with Argonne National Laboratory, Applied Geoscience and Environmental Management Section, Environmental Research Division, Argonne, Illinois (local office located in Lakewood, CO), and Washington State University (local office in Golden, CO). His research continues to focus on the hierarchical analysis of complex hydrological and environmental systems with emphasis on the areas of ground-water and surface water science and engineering, wetlands environments, expedited environmental site characterization and remediation, and landscape and ecosystem characterization. This part of his career has culminated in 5 technical reports, 20 abstracts and presentations, and 15 refereed journal articles and proceedings. 3 graduate students have completed their work under Dr. Kolm’s direction during this time and are successfully pursuing their careers (industrial and government sectors).

Dr. Kolm’s professional service contributions are primarily through offering short courses and serving professional societies. He is currently an active member in the Geological Society of America (Fellow), American Geophysical Union, Association of Engineering Geologists, Association of Ground-Water Scientists and Engineers, and the American Society for Testing and Materials. In the Geological Society of America, he served or serves in the following capacities: 1996 GSA National Meeting Co-Chairperson; Rocky Mountain Section Secretary-Treasurer: 1984 - present; past field trip leader of both GeoHostels (6 separate field excursions) and a GeoTrip; and Associate Editor of "Environmental & Engineering Geoscience" - a joint publication of the Association of Engineering Geologists and the Geological Society of America. Dr. Kolm is also currently serving the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) as a member of several committees to establish and write engineering standards in environmental site characterization and ground-water system analysis. This activity has culminated in the ASTM Society approval of the "Standard Guide for Conceptualization and Characterization of Ground-Water Flow Systems" based largely on his work in hierarchical analysis of ground-water systems. Dr. Kolm has served as an ABET Visitor/Evaluator for Geological Engineering Programs through AIME/SME.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Ken lives with his wife, Patricia, and his two daughters, Emily and Jennifer, in Golden, CO. He is an avid outdoors person with a passion for the wild places left on Earth. He takes his family, friends, and his classes/colleagues to his favorite haunts in the mountains and deserts of the southern and central Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau where they experience ecosystems and landscapes by mountaineering, hiking, or boating. He is also known for capturing the moments through photography, which he freely shares with his compatriots and family. He can frequently be spotted with his wife and daughters on various mountain summits in the western United States, or somewhere in the bottom of the Canyonlands or Grand Canyon National Parks. In his spare time, Ken is a professional musician and singer. He currently sings as a Tenor I with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Chorus in Denver, CO.