Andrew Randall grew up in Blacksburg, Virginia, going to school there from kindergarten through graduate school. While at Blacksburg High School he was an Eagle Scout, a National Merit semi-finalist, and made the All-Regional teams in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track his senior year. He began his studies in civil engineering at Virginia Tech in 1980. After graduating he worked through the Peace Corps as a sanitary engineer for the Ecuadorian Institute for Sanitary Works, helping to install potable water systems in Latacunga, Ecuador.



Andy returned to Virginia Tech in 1985 to work on a master's degree in environmental engineering, with Dr. John Novak as his major professor. His graduate studies included a summer internship with the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee of the Chesapeake Bay Program on non-point and point source technologies for nitrogen and phosphorus removal, and in 1987 he received a Fulbright grant. With his M.S. completed, he accepted a position as a research associate with the department's Environmental Engineering Section and was a project manager for full- and pilot-scale biological nutrient removal and industrial wastewater treatment projects for the next three years.



In 1990 Andy went to Alabama as a Ph.D. student in civil/environmental engineering at Auburn University. While at Auburn, he received a Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education to support his studies of biological phosphorus removal under Dr. Larry Benefield.



Since joining the CEE Department at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 1994, Dr. Randall has established a career as a well-respected researcher and teacher. His research on biological phosphorus removal has expanded to include bioremediation of groundwater and soil, and bacterial regrowth in water distribution systems. He has received grants from a number of sources, including the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Research Foundation and the National Science Foundation, and his research has resulted in a significant record of peer-reviewed journal and conference papers. In 1998 his department recognized his work with its Distinguished Researcher Award and two years later he received the UCF College of Engineering Research Award.



Dr. Randall also has received the College of Engineering Excellence in Faculty Advising Award for his work with students.



A registered professional engineer in Florida, Dr. Randall is active in a number of professional organizations including the AWWA, Water Environment Federation, Association of Environmental Engineering & Science Professors, and International Water Association. He is a reviewer for a number of technical journals and conferences, and he served on the Ph.D. committee for a Virginia Tech student whose dissertation topic was the production of biodegradable plastics from wastewater organics.



Andy and his wife, Michele, have two sons-Parker, who is almost five, and Ethan, who was born in February of this year. "My favorite pastime is being a weekend warrior with Parker," Andy says. "We both look forward to bringing Ethan with us once he can hold his head up straight!" Andy also enjoys water sports, including Masters swimming, flatwater kayaking, snorkeling and an occasional SCUBA dive.