COL Benjamin Wallen

COL Benjamin Wallen

Associate Dean for Faculty Development

Associate Professor

benjamin.wallen@westpoint.edu

Biography

Benjamin Wallen serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Development as part of the Dean’s Staff.  He is a 1996 graduate of the United States Military Academy with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering, and he obtained an M.S. from the University of Missouri at Rolla in Geological Engineering in 2000, an M.S. from the University of Texas at Austin in Environmental Engineering in 2005, and a Ph.D. from the Colorado School of Mines in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2016. He teaches Environmental Science for Engineers and Scientists and Environmental Engineering Technologies in the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering.

Ongoing Research Projects

Reverse Osmosis Membrane Design: The U.S. Army operates in a vast array of environmental conditions and Soldiers often find themselves far from logistical supply lines. Operations in such regions as well as inhospitable regions may require Soldiers to produce water in the field using membrane technologies. Unfortunately, membranes have the propensity to foul, which results in high operating costs and frequent maintenance. The purpose of this research is to explore membrane fouling and scaling under various hydrodynamic conditions (created with micromixers) at the membrane surface.

Environmental Knowledge and Attitudes: The pedagogy employed in a three-course environmental engineering sequence is investigated to determine the efficacy of enabling long-term improvement of knowledge about and attitudes toward the environment.

Soil Lead Concentration:  The level of soil lead has both temporal and spatial considerations based upon use of leaded gasoline, lead-based paint, and older infrastructure.  The purpose of this research is to evaluate field sampling techniques using x-ray fluorescence, relate lead concentrations found based upon spatial distribution associated with temporal environmental inputs, and recommend remediation opportunities.

Publications & Presentations

Select Peer-Reviewed:

  • Wallen, B.M., Pyke, A., Ebling, M., Sondheimer, R.M., and A.R. Pfluger. (2023). "Inspiring Excellence in Teaching through Deliberate Faculty Development."  Paper presented at 2023 International Association of Military Academies (ISOMA) Conference, Doha, Qatar, Manuscript WPA0-02-125.
  • Pfluger, A.R., Butkus, M.A., and B.M. Wallen. (2022). "Framework for Defining and Mapping to Key Words in ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission Student Outcomes 1-7."  Paper presented at 2022 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference.
  • Linvill, C.Q., and B.M. Wallen. (2022). "Effectiveness of a Hyflex Teaching Pedagogy in Environmental Engineering Education on Student Performance and Course Outcomes."  Paper presented at 2022 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference.
  • Pfluger, A.R., M.A. Butkus, M.R. Read, and B.M. Wallen. "Applying Resilience Theory to ‘Bounce Forward’ from COVID-19 for Environmental Engineering Programs." Proceedings of the 2021 National Conference of American Society for Engineering Education. DOI: 10.18260/1-2--36694.
  • Wallen, B.M., M.A. Kimball, W.C. Wright, N.P. Sheehan, T.D. Flagg, A.R. Avellaneda-Ruiz, and P.V. Bier. "Use of X-Ray Fluorescence to Expedite Sampling to Evaluate and Visualize Soil Lead Concentrations at West Point, NY." Proceedings of the IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS). Kona, HI (Virtual).  Session TU1.R5. DOI: 10.1109/IGARSS39084.2020.9324341.
  • Wallen, B.M., W.C. Wright, and C.E. Oxendine. "Investigation of Diurnal Fluctuations of Heat and Water Distributions Around Landmines Impacted by Soil Heterogeneity." Proceedings of the IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS). Kona, HI (Virtual). Session FR1.R1. 2020. DOI: 10.1109/IGARSS39084.2020.9324035.
  • Wallen, B.M., P. Swanton, W. Espell, A. Hanna, A. Ng, M. Butkus, and J. Walker. (2019). "Modelling and Experimental Investigation of Geometric Solutions to Scaling on Reverse Osmosis Membranes through innovative Feed Spacer Design."  Proceedings of the 2019 Fall Middle Atlantic Section Meeting of the American Society for Engineering Education, The Cooper Union, NY. American Society for Engineering Education Mid-Atlantic States Conference, New York, New York, 1-2 November 2019. Link.
  • Deepagoda, T.K.K., K. Smits, J.R.R.N. Jayarathne, B.M. Wallen, and T.J. Clough. "Characterization of grain-size distribution, thermal conductivity, and gas diffusivity in variably saturated binary sand mixtures." Vadose Zone Journal 17 (2018): 180026. DOI: 10.2136/vzj2018.01.0026.

Select Non-Peer Reviewed:

  • Mendoza, F.E., B.M. Wallen, and H.A. Bennett (2013). The End of an Era: Lessons Learned from the Last J-7 in Iraq. Engineer - The Professional Bulletin of Army Engineers. 43: 10-13.

Select Seminars, Colloquia, and Presentations:

  • Pfluger, A., R. Sondheimer, B. Wallen, and A. Pyke. “Comprehensive Faculty Development for the Whole Student Approach to Higher Education: The Service Academy Model.” Presented at the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society, Oral Presentation, Reston, VA, October 13, 2023.
  • Sondheimer, R., A. Pfluger, B. Wallen, and A. Pyke. “The Role of Mentorship in Networked World: Recognizing the Move Away from a Hierarchical Model.” Presented at the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society, Oral Presentation, Reston, VA, October 13, 2023.
  • Linvill, C.Q., B.M. Wallen, A.R. Pfluger, and M.A. Butkus. (2021). "Incorporation of Best Practices in Environmental Engineering Education to Maximize Student Engagement and Instructor Efficiency." Paper presented at 2021 ASEE St. Lawrence Section Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education, Virtually hosted.
  • Wallen, B.M., and D.M. Thomas. (2020, November). Office Hours for Faculty – A Means to Increase Remote Teaching Capabilities.  Paper presented at 2020 Fall ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Meeting of the American Society for Engineering Education, Virtually hosted.