Geography and Geology
140 Strong Hall
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197
734.487.0218
140 Strong Hall
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197
734.487.0218
Associate Professor of Hydrogeology, Hydrology and Environmental Science
Geography & Geology; Environmental Science and Society (ENVI) Interdisciplinary Program
140U Strong Hall
Dr. Christopher Gellasch is a geologist who specializes in groundwater (hydrogeology) and water quality. He returned to EMU after more than 20 years serving as a U.S. Army Environmental Science and Engineering Officer. His previous academic experience includes serving as an assistant professor at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. At EMU he teaches courses in geology, environmental science, and environmental engineering using active-learning and team-based learning methods to maximize student engagement.
His research utilizes field-based methods to evaluate migration of chemical and biological constituents through the subsurface and their impact either on public supply wells or surface water bodies. Other aspects of Dr. Gellasch’s research include military geology and urban hydrogeology. He has conducted projects across the U.S. and in Germany, South Korea, and Afghanistan. Dr. Gellasch’s Google Scholar page contains more details about his research.
Dr. Gellasch works with his undergraduate research students sampling groundwater and surface water at field sites like EMU’s Fish Lake Environmental Education Center and the students analyze those samples in his laboratory on campus. His research students present at both the EMU Undergraduate Symposium and at national conferences. This research experience prepares students to either attend graduate school or enter the workforce as a hydrogeologist.
Mentoring students and ensuring they are successful after graduation are important to Dr. Gellasch. Heis the Outreach and Internship Coordinator for the Environmental Science and Society Interdisciplinary (ENVI) Program. In that role he mentors students looking for internship opportunities and organizes the ENVI Internship Symposium in January for students seeking summer internship opportunities. Many of those internships lead to post-graduation employment. Learn more about ENVI Internships
