Florentino De la Cruz

Dr. De la Cruz is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering in the College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction. His research focuses on the intersection of sustainability, energy, and the protection of human health and the environment. Dr. De la Cruz investigates the chemical and biological processes involved in both natural and engineered systems. He has active reseach on PFAS remediation through thermal and novel adsorbent-based processes. Additionally, he is characterizing a large subset of organic chemicals found in the St. Johns River for chemical profiling and fingerprinting, as well as assessing their impact on human health and the environment. Dr. De la Cruz also examines the impact of waste management on climate change, particularly methane emissions from landfills and biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS). He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Environmental Science from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering with a minor in Forest Biomaterials from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining the University of North Florida, he served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Purdue University Environmental and Ecological Engineering. Outside of academia, Dr. De la Cruz enjoys engaging in outdoor activities such as whitewater kayaking, backpacking, and skiing.