Loretta A. Fernandez

Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice,  Civil and Environmental Engineering
Associate Professor,  Marine and Environmental Sciences

Contact

Office

  • 473 Snell Engineering
  • 617.373.5461

Lab

  • 231 Egan Research Center

Research Focus

Environmental organic chemistry; passive sampling methods; transport and transformation of contaminants in built and natural environments

Education

  • PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2010
  • SM, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005
  • BS, Northeastern University, 2002
  • BA, Tufts University, 1993

Honors & Awards

  • 2022 College of Engineering Faculty Fellow
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award
  • Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) Project of the Year, Co-Performer (2011)
  • National Research Council, Research Associateship (2010)

Professional Affiliations

  • American Chemical Society
  • Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
  • Tau Beta Pi

Research Overview

Environmental organic chemistry; passive sampling methods; transport and transformation of contaminants in built and natural environments

Selected Research Projects

Research Centers and Institutes

Affiliations:

Coastal Sustainability Institute

Social Science Environmental Health Institute

College Research Initiatives

Selected Publications

  • A.S. Joyce, L.A. Fernandez, R.M. Burgess, In Situ Investigation of Performance Reference Compound-Based Estimates of PCB Equilibrated Passive Sampler Concentrations and C free in the Marine Water Column, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 39(6), 2020, 1165-1173
  • A.V. Mueller, M.J. Eden, J.M. Oakes, C. Bellini, L.A. Fernandez, Quantitative Method for Comparative Assessment of Particle Removal Efficiency of Fabric Masks as Alternatives to Standard Surgical Masks for PPE, Matter, 3, 2020, 1-13
  • M.J. Benotti, L.A. Fernandez, G.F. Peaslee, G.S. Douglas, A.D. Uhler, S. Emsbo-Mattingly, A Forensic Approach for Indentifying PFAS Materials, Environmental Forensics,21(3-4), 2020, 319-333

Faculty

Apr 28, 2022

FY23 TIER 1 Award Recipients

Congratulations to the 15 COE faculty and affiliates who were recipients of FY23 TIER 1 Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grants for 13 different projects.

Faculty

Apr 15, 2022

Faculty and Staff Awards 2022

Congratulations to all the winners of the faculty and staff awards, and to everyone for their hard work and dedication during the 2021-2022 academic school year.

Jan 03, 2022

Choosing the Best Mask with the Omicron Variant

CEE Assistant Professor Loretta Fernandez and ChE Associate Professor Steve Lustig provide insights into what combination of materials and fits make the best face masks.

In the Media

Feb 11, 2021

If double-masking is hurting your ears, try these tips to relieve the pain

CEE Associate Professor Loretta Fernandez was featured in the Washington Post article “If double-masking is hurting your ears, try these tips to relieve the pain” for her research into finding effective fitting masks.

zoomed in view of person with mask on

Faculty

Feb 05, 2021

How to Wear 2 Masks Effectively

CEE Assistant Professor Loretta Fernandez and Amy Mueller explain how to best wear two masks effectively to keep out COVID-19 particles.

student in graduation attire sitting outside

Spotlight Story

Oct 02, 2020

PhD Spotlight: Alice Peiying Wang, PhD’19 – Civil Engineering

Advised by Loretta Fernandez, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, jointly appointed in Marine and Environmental Sciences in the College of Science While pursuing her PhD in Civil Engineering (CEE) at Northeastern University, Alice Peiying Wang worked closely with researchers at the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ Environmental Research and Development Center (USACE ERDC). She […]

Faculty

Aug 11, 2020

How to Choose the Best Cloth Face Mask for You

CEE Associate Professor Loretta Fernandez was featured in the NY Times Wirecutter article “How to Choose the Best Cloth Face Mask for You” for her expertise in studying how to make the best fitting mask.

two hands showing full mask

Faculty

Jul 30, 2020

Designing the Most Effective Face Masks

CEE Associate Professor Loretta Fernandez and Assistant Professor Amy Mueller are examining the best fit, while ChE Associate Professor Steve Lustig is determining the best combinations of materials for the most effective mask to protect against COVID-19.

Faculty

Apr 23, 2020

Adding A Nylon Stocking Layer Could Boost Protection From Cloth Masks, Study Finds

CEE/MES Assistant Professors Loretta Fernandez was featured in the NPR article “Adding A Nylon Stocking Layer Could Boost Protection From Cloth Masks, Study Finds” and WFUV.org article “Adding A Nylon Stocking Layer Could Boost Protection From…” about her research in making sure COVID-19 masks are effective.

professor and student working in environmental engineering lab

Faculty

Apr 21, 2020

Assistant Professor Loretta Fernandez wins 2020 CEE Excellence in Teaching Award

CEE Assistant Professor Loretta A. Fernandez was honored with the 2020 CEE Excellence in Teaching Award for her exceptional contributions to the department.

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