Burton Suedel

Burton C. Suedel, Ph.D.
Chairman of PIANC Environmental Commission
Research Biologist, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center

Dr. Suedel is a research biologist at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory in Vicksburg, Mississippi.  He earned his bachelor’s master’s degrees in biology from the University of North Texas, and his Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of Mississippi. 

Since 2005, Dr. Suedel has served as the Team Leader of the Risk Integration Team where he focuses on risk assessment and management of dredged material and invasive species, incorporating uncertainty into ecosystem restoration projects, and investigating ways in which sustainable engineering, environmental, social, and economic benefits can be incorporated into waterborne transport infrastructure planning.  He has received international awards and recognition for applying Engineering With Nature^® principles in practice at multiple USACE freshwater and marine coastal projects.  Dr. Suedel also manages the USACE Dredging Operations Technical Support (DOTS) program that facilitates transfer of existing and new navigation and dredging technology to stakeholders in the USACE’ navigation mission. 

He is an active member of the Western Dredging Association (WEDA), the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), and PIANC, where he serves as the Principal U.S. Representative to the PIANC Environmental Commission (EnviCom). His PIANC activities include chairing PIANC EnviCom Working Group 143 on Conducting Initial Assessments of Environmental Effects of Navigation and Infrastructure Projects, and chairing Working Group 175 on Managing Environmental Risks of Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. He is currently serving as the U.S. representative to PIANC Inland Navigation Commission Working Group 203 on Sustainable Inland Navigation and is mentoring EnviCom Working Group 214 on Sediment Beneficial Use.