Scholars@Duke
Mark Wiesner

Mark Wiesner

James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
wiesner@duke.edu
Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708-0287
120 Hudson Hall, Durham, NC 27708-0287

Overview

Wiesner's research interests include membrane processes, nanostructured materials, transport and fate of nanomaterials in the environment, nano plastics, colloidal and interfacial processes, and environmental systems analysis.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering · 2015 - Present Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering · 2006 - Present Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering
Professor of Environmental Science and Policy · 2012 - Present Environmental Sciences and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society · 2017 - Present Duke Science & Society, University Initiatives & Academic Support Units

In the News

Published November 16, 2023
Which Duke Scholars Made the Most Cited List?
Published December 9, 2022
Modeling a ‘River of Plastic’
Published November 19, 2019
Global List of Highly Cited Puts Duke in Top Ten

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Recent Publications

Environmental degradation and fragmentation of microplastics: dependence on polymer type, humidity, UV dose and temperature

Journal Article Microplastics and Nanoplastics · December 1, 2025 Depending on the environmental compartment, plastics are subjected to various stressors, including UV light, water, microbial exudates (enzymes), and temperature. Among these, stress on plastics from photo-chemical processes was identified as a leading exp ... Full text Cite

Importance of Attachment Efficiency in Determining the Fate of PS and PVC Nanoplastic Heteroaggregation with Natural Colloids Using a Multimedia Model.

Journal Article Environmental science & technology · March 2025 Here, we assessed the heteroaggregation of polystyrene (PS) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanoplastics with SiO2 as a model of natural colloids. Homoaggregation and heteroaggregation were evaluated as a function of CaCl2 (0-100 mM) a ... Full text Cite

Investigating the use of CaCO3 particles synthesized in the Ca(OH)2-CO2-H2O system for organic matter removal: adsorption efficiency and recyclability.

Journal Article Environmental technology · February 2025 In this study, we experimentally investigate the production and characterization of CaCO3 particles through the carbonation process of Ca(OH)2 and evaluate their potential application in removing organic matter. The CaCO3 p ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants

Duke University Program in Environmental Health

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2029

The other plastic problem: weathering and plastic additives synergize to impact organismal health

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. · 2025 - 2028

NSF Engineering Research Center for Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr)

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2022 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications

Johns Hopkins University · 1985 Ph.D.
University of Iowa · 1980 M.S.
Coe College · 1978 B.A.

External Links

Wiesner Research Group Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT) International Network For Researching, Advancing, and Assessing Materials for Environmental Sustainability (INFRAMES)