Uniformed Services University
Contact Information
Preventive Medicine and Biometrics: Faculty
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799
Office Location: AFRRI, 3176J
Phone: (301) 319-6952
Email: christopher.gellasch@usuhs.edu
Christopher A. Gellasch
Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Service Corps, U.S. Army
Assistant Professor
Profile
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher A. Gellasch graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Medical Service Corps through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. He then received a Master of Science Degree in Geological Sciences from Indiana University before entering active duty.
LTC Gellasch has served in a variety of field and fixed facility assignments. He taught environmental science and engineering courses at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) as an assistant professor. As the commander of the 71st Medical Detachment (Preventive Medicine) he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VI. During that deployment he also traveled to Pakistan and supported Task Force Quake during earthquake relief operations in October 2005. His most recent military assignment was as the Chief, Environmental Health Engineering Division at the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine – West located at Fort Lewis, WA.
Degrees
- Ph.D., Geology with Environmental Engineering minor, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- M.S., Geological Sciences, Indiana University
- B.S., Geology, Eastern Michigan University
Research
LTC Gellasch is a geologist with a focus on groundwater (hydrogeology) and water quality. His research combines aspects of hydrogeology and environmental engineering to determine the most likely pathways for sewer derived wastewater contaminants to migrate through the subsurface and impact public supply wells. In addition to traditional chemical wastewater indicators, he utilizes human enteric viruses as spatial and temporal tracers to delineate groundwater flow pathways. The effect of public supply well pumping on the surrounding aquifer is also used to determine vulnerability to wastewater contaminants entering a drinking water system.
Another of LTC Gellasch's research areas is the application of hydrogeology during military operations in order to evaluate the quantity and quality of water supplies used by deployed forces and local populations.
Current Teaching
- Introduction to Environmental Health
- Advanced Environmental Health
- Solid and Hazardous Wastes
- Deployment Environmental Exposures
- Hydrology, Water Treatment, and Wastewater Treatment
- Environmental and Occupational Health Journal Club
Areas of Expertise
- Environmental Health
- Chemical and microbiological drinking water contaminants
- Assessment of public supply well vulnerability to wastewater contamination
- Military hydrogeology
Selected Recent Publications
Gellasch, C.A., (2012), Hydrogeological support to United States military operations, 1917-2010. In: Rose, E. P. F. & Mather, J. D. (eds) Military Aspects of Hydrogeology. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 362, 223-239, DOI: 10.1144/SP362.12.
Gellasch, C.A., Bradbury K.R., Hart D.J., and Bahr J.M. (2012), Characterization of fracture connectivity in a siliciclastic bedrock aquifer near a public supply well (Wisconsin, USA). Hydrogeology Journal. DOI: 10.1007/s10040-012-0914-7.
Professional Activities
- Registered Environmental Health Specialist
- Licensed Professional Geologist, State of Indiana
- Certified Professional Geologist, American Institute of Professional Geologists
- Geological Society of America
- Academic and Applied Geoscience Relations Committee, 2011-present
- Committee on Professional Development, 2006-2009
- Geology in Government Mentor Program, 2007 and 2008
Operating Status
OPEN
