CURRICULUM VITAE

Name:  PHILIP W. WESTERMAN
 

Degree, Institution, Date:
 

Academic Positions:
 

Other Professional Employment:

  1972-1974    - NDEA Fellow, Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky
  1969-1971    - Graduate Research Assistant, Agricultural Engineering Department, University of
                          Kentucky

Off-Campus Scholarly Assignment:
 

International Experience:
 

Professional Registration:
 

  RESEARCH

     Research has been directed toward utilization and treatment of animal manures and agricultural byproducts, and environmental impact of livestock waste management systems. Research has included: (1) land treatment and utilization of livestock and poultry manure and food processing wastes, (2) nitrogen microbial mineralization and availability potential for utilizing various livestock and food processing wastes to grow crops, (3) water quality of rainfall runoff and drainage water from sites receiving animal wastes, (4) evaluating seepage from livestock waste lagoons, (5) biogas production and recovery from ambient temperature earthen anaerobic digesters, (6) water treatment and waste management for intensive fish production systems, (7) modeling of ammonia emissions from anaerobic swine lagoons, (8) removal of phosphorus from wastewater with a stuvite crystallizer, and (9) animal waste management, treatment and utilization. Recent research includes biological and engineering methods to treat and process animal wastes for nutrient management, odor reduction, pathogen reduction, and reduction of ammonia emissions. Some of the priority areas of research are solids separation from flushed swine waste for byproduct utilization, removal/recovery of phosphorus, and anaerobic and aerobic treatment schemes to reduce odor and control nitrogen transformations to reduce ammonia emissions.  I have participated in seven Southern Regional or Multi-State Research Projects on animal waste management and utilization.  I have served in the officer rotation twice, have hosted two of the annual meetings, and have helped write the proposals.

Publications Summary

Examples of Accomplishments

1.  Developed data for animal waste nutrient utilization using laboratory and field plot studies (swine manure and lagoon effluent, poultry litter and layer manure, and dairy lagoon liquid and slurry manure).

2.  Able to maintain an 11-yr study on swine lagoon effluent applied to Coastal bermudagrass to determine long-term soil accumulation, crop effects, and runoff water quality.  Included a period of collecting shallow subsurface flow and determination of phosphorus movement in soil.

3.  The nutrient utilization and losses studies and lab incubation studies with various manures provided information for refining Plant Available Nitrogen coefficients (swine lagoon liquid, broiler and turkey litter, poultry processing plant DAF sludge, and dairy slurry manure).

4.  Evaluated “quick” methods for on-farm nutrient analyses of several types of animal wastes.  This was one of the first studies (1985) of “quick” methods for on-farm use in the U.S., and this has recently been a research topic for USDA-ARS and other researchers in the U.S. and England.

5.  Developed data for rainfall runoff transport of nutrients from plots receiving animal wastes (diary lagoon liquid to pasture, swine lagoon liquid to temperate forage and to Coastal bermudagrass, poultry layer manure to temperate forage).  This included some of the earliest data on phosphorus transport.  Also worked with others on nonpoint source modeling of runoff water quality from areas receiving animal waste.

6.  Evaluated seepage from swine lagoons.  Research on lagoons in a sandy soil had significant impact in causing revision of NRCS standards for lagoons in N.C.

7.  Worked with Dr. Mac Safley on several projects on biogas (methane) production from ambient temperature and mesophilic temperature digestion of various animal wastes (poultry layer, swine, dairy).  This work included some of the earliest work on ambient temperature earthen digesters for animal waste.

8.  Worked with Dr. Tom Losordo in water treatment and waste management for intensive fish production recirculating systems.  Helped develop some of the earliest data on various biofilters performance for nitrification of ammonia, and characterization of waste from recirculating systems.

9.  Have been PI on eight demonstrations and evaluations of innovative alternative technologies for swine manure management.  Alternative treatment systems have been a topic of much national discussion, and these evaluations have been a partnership with technology providers, farm owners and the University.  The results have provided important information to farmers, to other researchers, to technology developers, and to the regulatory agencies.  The types of technologies evaluated have included aerobic treatment with various types of aeration systems or biofilters, solids/liquid separation with various types of mechanical systems and chemical amendments, and energy recovery by combustion of solids.

10.  Have led development of a model for ammonia emissions from anaerobic lagoons.  This model provided a theoretical and mechanistic approach for estimating emissions that are difficult and expensive to measure. 

11.  Have provided significant input into several task force or committees for the University and the state environmental regulatory agency on environmental issues related to animal production and waste management:

            a.  CALS Committee: Intensive Grazing Nutrient Management

            b.  CALS Committee: Reducing Flood Impacts for Animal Production

            c.  CALS and Interagency Committee on Phosphorus Risk Assessment

            d.  CALS Odor Task Force

            e.  N. C. DENR Technology Panel for Governor’s Plan for Conversion of Lagoons and Sprayfields

            f.  N. C. DENR Lagoon Risk Assessment Committee for Governor’s Plan for Conversion of Lagoons and Sprayfields

            g.  N. C. Division of Soil and Water Nutrient Plan Committee for Governor’s Plan for Conversion of Lagoons and Sprayfields

            h.  Animal & Poultry Waste Management Center Technology Panel for Smithfield Foods/N. C. Attorney General Agreement for demonstrating/evaluating alternative waste treatment systems
12.  With PhD graduate student, developed and patented a cone-shaped fluidized-bed struvite crystallizer for removing phosphorus from wastewater.

13.  Developed a sludge survey extension bulletin at request of N.C. DENR to assist farmers with methods and records for sludge surveys required by new regulations.
14.  Developed extension fact sheets for biogas anaerobic digester considerations for swine farms in N.C. and carbon credits for methane capture and combustion.

TEACHING

     I taught the introductory course in soil and water engineering (BAE 471) in the fall semester each year from 1978 through 2000, except when on study leave in 1990.  The enrollment in BAE 471 while I taught it varied from about ten to thirty-seven. The course was four credit hours (three lectures and one two-hr. lab) until 1992 when it became a three-credit course and titled "Land Resources Environmental Engineering".  I was on the curriculum committee which developed a new curriculum in 1991 with four concentration areas (the concentration which I coordinated was Environmental/Soil and Water).  The introductory course in this concentration area is BAE 471 and two new courses were added:  BAE 472 Irrigation and Drainage, and BAE 473/573 Introduction to Surface/Water Quality Modeling.
     During 1995-1997 spring semesters, I taught a section of ALS 299H, the introductory honors course for students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  The section had ten students who jointly wrote a report and presented a skit on a topic or issue.  In 1995, I selected the topic of hog farming in North Carolina, which turned out to be a very timely issue.  The swine industry development and potential environmental problems became a much publicized issue in state and national press during the summer and fall of 1995. The topics in my section of ALS 299H in the spring semesters of 1996 and 1997 were "global warming" and "water quality in N. C.", respectively.
     During July 1994 - June 1995, I was departmental Undergraduate Coordinator for Academic Programs, scheduling classes, handling student transfers, handling academic reports, assigning advisors, advising 1st year students, coordinating departmental graduation exercises, and managing the academic budget.
     Other student advising activities have included advising students in BAE Engineering Design (two), ALS 499H Honors Research (one), and co-advisor of research for student receiving Undergraduate Research Award (2002). 

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

    Effective July 1, 2001, the teaching component of my appointment was exchanged for extension appointment (22 %).  This change was made because of loss of two extension specialists in animal waste management (one to retirement and one to another University).  Responsibilities are for animal waste management and environmental impacts.  Have developed extension publications on conducting sludge surveys of anaerobic lagoons, biogas anaerobic digester considerations for swine farms in N.C., and carbon credits for methane capture and combustion.

RECOGNITION

HONORARY SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
Alpha Zeta
Gamma Sigma Delta
Tau Beta Pi
Sigma Xi
Omicron Delta Kappa

UNIVERSITY SERVICE/COMMITTEES

Service Committees in BAE Department:

1. BAE Scholarship Committee-- Member (2005-2008)
   
2. BAE Awards Committee – Member (2002-2008)
3. BAE Facilities Committee--  Member (1987-94, 2001-2002, 2003-2007)
4. BAE Research Committee-- Member (2004-2005)
5. NC Section ASAE/NCSU BAE Dept. Student Activities Funding Committee (Coordinate about $1,600 of interest income each year and solicitation for endowment (about $54,000)-- Chair (1984-2004).
6. BAE Curriculum Committee--  Member (1985-2003, 2007-2008); Chair (1991-94).  Have helped with four major revisions of curricula in BAE.  Was chair during revision of engineering curriculum to "Biological Engineering" with concentrations in: (1) Agricultural, (2) Biomedical, (3) Bioprocessing and (4) Environmental.
   
7. BAE Recruitment/Placement Committee-- Member (1995-97, 2000-02)
   
8. BAE ABET Outcomes Assessment Committee- Member (2000-01)
9. BAE Computer Committee- Member (1997-98)
10. BAE Executive Committee-- Member (1994-95)
11. BAE Social Committee-- Member (1992-93)
12. BAE Career Guidance Committee-- Member (1975-85), Chair (1979-85)
13. Dept. Seminar Coordinator--  Fall 1984.  Arranged 10 seminars.
14. University Open House Committee--  Member (BAE portion) (1975-1979); Chair (BAE portion) 1975

Service Committees in College and University:

1. CALS Review Committee for Reappointment/Promotion/Tenure (RPT) (2006)
   
2. University Committee on Records, Registration and Calendar- (2000-2003)
3. Animal & Poultry Waste Management Center (APWMC) Technology Panel for Smithfield Foods/N. C. Attorney General Agreement for researching alternative waste treatment systems (2000-06)
4. CALS Work Committee: Interagency Committee on Phosphorus Risk Assessment (1999-2005)
5. CALS Work Committee: Intensive Grazing Nutrient Management (1997-2001)
6. CALS Work Committee: Animal Waste Field Days/Conferences (1999-2001)
7. CALS Work Committee: Reducing Flood Impacts for Animal Production (2000)
8. APWMC Proposal Review Committee for Legislative funding to evaluate alternative waste treatment systems (1999)
9. CALS Odor Task Force (1998)
10. N. C. ARS Participant in Regional Research Projects-- (1975-present); S-89 Project: Land Application Subcommittee, 1975; S-144 Project: Sec. 1977-78, Vice-Chair 1978-79, Chair 1980-81; S-239 Project: One of three persons who wrote proposal for project; Sec. 1993-94, Vice-Chair 1994-95, Chair 1995-96; S275 Project: Member 1996-2001; One of four writers of new project proposal (2001); S1000 Project Member 2001-2006; Sec. 2002-03, Vice-Chair 2003-04, Chair 2004-05.  S1032 Project Member 2007-2008.
    
11. WRRI Technical Committee (Proposal review/rating committee)-- Member (1988-91, 1995-97)
12. CALS Odor Task Force (1994-95)
13. College of Engineering Coordinator of Advisors Committee-- Member (1994-95)
14. CALS Honors Program Committee--  Member (1994-1997)
15. College of Engineering Curriculum Committee--  Member (1994)
16. CALS Strategic Planning Committee (Academic Programs Subgroup on Rules and Regulations)-- Member (1994)
17. University Faculty Hearings Panel (1990-93)
18. College of Engineering Safety Committee (1988-93)
19. CALS Grievance Committee--  Member (1988)
20. Alpha Zeta Agricultural Fraternity-- Faculty Advisor (1985-88)
21. CALS Curriculum Committee--  Member (1984-87)
22. Gamma Sigma Delta Senior and Undergraduate Awards Committee--  Chair (1987)
23. Faculty Representative to University Judicial Board-- (1979-82)

Service Committees for Government Agencies as N. C. State University Representative:

1. USDA CSREES SBIR Animal Manure Management Program.  Review panel for research proposals, reading 13 proposals and selection committee meeting in Washington, D.C., Feb. 18-20, 2008.
2. USDA CSREES SBIR Animal Manure Management Program.  Review panel for research proposals, reading 14 proposals and selection committee meeting in Washington, D.C., Jan. 22-24, 2007.
   
3. USDA CSREES NRI Agricultural Systems Program.  Review panel for research proposals, reading 25 proposals and selection committee meeting in Washington, D.C., April 16-20, 2001.
4. N. C. Division of Soil and Water's "Nutrient Plan Committee" for Governor's Plan for Conversion of Lagoons and Sprayfields (about 20 members from various agencies) (2000-01)
5. N. C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources' "Technology Panel" for Governor's Plan for Conversion of Lagoons and Sprayfields (10 members with 2 from NCSU) (1999-2000)
6. N. C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources' "Lagoon Risk Assessment Committee" for Governor's Plan for Conversion of Lagoons and Sprayfields (12 members with 2 from NCSU) (2000)
7. USDA CSREES NRI Agricultural Systems Program.  Review panel for research proposals, reading 22 proposals and selection committee meeting in Washington, D.C., June 12-15, 2000.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Professional Societies:
American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE)
   SE-05  Publications Review Committee (Associate Editor)
   SE-412 Agricultural Waste Management
    M-155  Gunlogson Countryside Engineering Award
    E-08  Fellows Committee
Aquaculture Engineering Society (AES)
    Member of Editorial Board of Aquacultural Engineering Journal (1996-2005)
 
 

ASAE Activities

Leadership in ASAE:

1. SE-05 Publications Review Committee- Associate Editor (1999-2008)
2. SE-412 Agricultural Sanitation and Waste Management Committee Officer--  Secretary (1991-92), Vice-Chair (1992-93), Chair (1993-94)
3. Swine Sub-Committee Chair for FASS/ASAE Committee revisions to ASAE D 384.1Standard on Animal Manure Production and Characteristics. Editors:  Rick Koelsch (U. Nebraska) and Wendy Powers (Iowa St. Univ.). 2003.
4. Chair of Program Committee for ASAE sponsored international symposium on animal, agricultural and food processing wastes (ISAAFPW 2000) (1998-2000)
5. SE-412/5 Engineering Practices, Chair (1995-1997, 2003-2005)
6. Member of Program Committee for two ASAE sponsored international symposia on animal and food processing wastes (ISAFPW 1985 and ISAFPW 1995)
7. SW-05 Publications Review Committee--  Associate Editor for Soil and Water Division (1989-93)
8. Youth/Teen Committee for 1992 ASAE Summer Meeting-- Chair (1991-92). Responsible for planning and supervising youth activities, teen activities, hospitality and securing and organizing about 60 volunteers.  Coordination with ASAE HQ and with rest of meeting committee.
9. PE- 414 Engineering Registration Committee Officer--  Vice-chair (1990-91); In 1992, coordinated the PE problems for five Soil/Water problems (made up one and reviewed four others for proper format, correctness)
10. SW-263 Land Application of Wastes Committee Officer--  Secretary (1984-85), Vice-Chair (1985-86), Chair (1986-87)
11. NC Section ASAE/NCSU BAE Dept. Student Activities Funding Committee (Coordinate about $1,600 of interest income each year and solicitation for endowment (about $54,000)-- Chair (1984-2004).
12. N. C. Section ASAE Officer--  Secretary-Treasurer (1977-78), 2nd Vice-chair (1983-84), 1st Vice-chair (1984-85), Chair (1985-87; longer period as Chair because of changing election time).  Coordinated meeting arrangements for four meetings.  Co-chaired program planning for Nov. 2000 meeting.
13. Career Guidance Committee ( N. C. Section of ASAE and NCSU BAE Dept.))--  Member (3 yrs., 1975-1978);  Chair (7 yrs., 1979-1985).  Responsible for corresponding with potential students, making high school visits, and attending career fairs representing BAE, CALS and COE.
14. Open House Committee for hosting 1977 ASAE Summer Meeting ( ASAE and NCSU BAE Dept.)-- (1976-1977).  Also developed 140-slide/12-min. tape of departmental activities which was used for the ASAE meeting and for several subsequent years in presentations of departmental activities.
15. Student Branch Faculty Advisor (N. C. Student Branch of ASAE)--  (1975-1977, 1982, 2002-2005).  Also, was faculty advisor for publication of the 1977 ASAE Student Journal, which included obtaining advertisers, articles, photographs, and publication of the magazine sent to all student members of ASAE.  Student Branch placed third in FIEI competition in 1977.  Coordinated and accompanied students on educational field trip to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., sponsored by Agricultural Engineering clubs, March 8-11, 1976.  Also took students to the Southeast Regional Rally of Student Branches of ASAE at VPI in 1982 and 2003, and at Athens, GA in 2004.

ASAE Committee Memberships: