Mark Borsuk

Research Interests

Mathematical models for integrating scientific information on natural, technical, and social systems; Bayesian network modeling with regular application to environmental and human health regulation and decision making; novel approaches to climate change assessment, combining risk analysis, game theory, and agent-based modeling.

Bio

Mark Borsuk’s research concerns the development and application of mathematical models for integrating scientific information on natural, technical, and social systems. He is a widely-cited expert in Bayesian network modeling with regular application to environmental and human health regulation and decision making. He is also the originator of novel approaches to climate change assessment, combining risk analysis, game theory, and agent-based modeling. Borsuk’s highly collaborative research has been funded by NSF, EPA, NIH, NIEHS and USFS, and he has authored or co-authored 75 peer-reviewed journal publications and 6 book chapters.

Borsuk received the Chauncey Starr Distinguished Young Risk Analyst Award from the Society for Risk Analysis in 2013 and the Early Career Research Excellence Award from the International Environmental Modelling and Software Society in 2008. Before joining the Duke faculty, Dr. Borsuk was a member of the Dartmouth College faculty for 10 years where he held an appointment in the Thayer School of Engineering. Dr. Borsuk received a B.S.E. in Civil Engineering and Operations Research from Princeton University, an M.S. in Statistics and Decision Sciences from Duke University, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from Duke University. He did his post-doctoral training in the Department of Systems Analysis, Integrated Assessment, and Modelling (SIAM) at the Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG), where he advanced to head of the Decision Analysis and Integrated Assessment group.

As part of his appointment at Duke, Dr. Borsuk directs a new interdisciplinary research and teaching initiative in risk, uncertainty, optimization and decision-making.

Education

• B.S.E. Princeton University, 1995
• M.S. Duke University, 2001
• Ph.D. Duke University, 2001

Positions

• James L. and Elizabeth M. Vincent Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Co-Director of the Center on Risk in the Duke Initiative for Science & Society
• Director of the RESILE Center
• Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

• Earl I. Brown Outstanding Civil Engineering Faculty Award. Civil and Enviornmental Engineering Duke University. 2018
• Chauncey Starr Distinguished Young Risk Analyst Award. Society for Risk Analysis. 2013
• Best Paper. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Journal. 2012
• Excellence in Mentoring Award. Dartmouth College Postdoctoral Association. 2010
• Best Paper in Integrated Modelling. Environmental Modelling & Software Journal. 2008
• Early Career Research Excellence Award. International Environmental Modelling and Software Society. 2008

Courses Taught

• CEE 201L: Uncertainty Design and Optimization
• CEE 394: Research Independent Study in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• CEE 493: Research Independent Study in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• CEE 494: Research Independent Study in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• CEE 690: Advanced Topics in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• CEE 691: Independent Study: Advanced Topics in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• CEE 692: Independent Study: Advanced Topics in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• DECSCI 235: Risk
• ECON 212: Engineering Systems Optimization and Economics
• ECON 235: Risk
• EGR 305: Engineering Systems Optimization and Economics
• EGRMGMT 590: Advanced Topics in Engineering Management
• MENG 550: Master of Engineering Internship/Project
• MENG 551: Master of Engineering Internship/Project Assessment
• MENG 552: Master of Engineering Supplemental Internship
• PUBPOL 235: Risk
• SCISOC 235: Risk