David J. Hassett, Senior Research Advisor. Mr. Hassett's principal areas of interest and expertise include the application of analytical chemistry toward the solution of environmental problems associated with trace element occurrence, transport, and fate. The most recent research focus has been on trace element transformations during coal conversion processes and interaction between groundwater and coal conversion solids as related to the leachability of trace elements.

Debra F. Pflughoeft-Hassett, Senior Research Advisor. Ms. Pflughoeft-Hassett serves as principal researcher and project manager on several investigations of the characterization, utilization, and disposal of coal combustion by-products (CCBs) and currently manages the research effort of the Coal Ash Resources Research Consortium^® (CARRC^®) and other CCB research at the EERC. Ms. Pflughoeft-Hassett has expertise in applying analytical chemistry, mineralogical and geological data, and engineering testing to demonstrations and field projects utilizing CCBs.

Bruce A. Dockter, Manager of the Fuels and Materials Research Laboratory. His duties include laboratory supervision of physical characterization and standard testing of fly ash, high-temperature characteristics of ash and slag, and determination of physical and chemical properties of coal. He is also responsible for evaluating and modifying facility capabilities for enhancing research programs and graduate student studies.

Kurt E. Eylands, Research Scientist. Mr. Eylands' principal areas of interest and expertise include coal ash utilization, phase transformations of minerals, and analytical methods and techniques. Of particular interest are the formation of minerals in CCBs and mineral transformations when these products are hydrated.

Loreal V. Heebink, Research Chemist. Ms. Heebink's principal areas expertise include leaching procedures and ultratrace mercury analysis with a double gold amalgamation atomic fluorescence apparatus, fuel component analysis with innovative Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques, organic synthesis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, atomic absorption and inductively coupled argon plasma spectroscopy, ultraviolet and fluorescence analysis, and thin layer and gas chromatography.