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Charles E. Schaefer, Jr., Ph.D.

Charles E. Schaefer, Jr., Ph.D.
Discipline Leader – Envi­ron­men­tal R&D and Treata­bil­ity Studies 

Charles Schaefer is an environmental scientist and the director of CDM Smith's Bellevue, Washington research and testing laboratory with a wide array of experience in fate and transport of organic contaminants in soil and bedrock.

He is a leading researcher in the treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Charles has served as a principal investigator on several research grants, including projects of the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), as well as the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP).

In addition, Charles has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed papers and is an active member of the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC). His honors include the SERDP/ESTCP Project of the Year awards in 2013 and 2018.

The ability to work on innovative and industry-changing research is a key motivator for the research that Charles does. “CDM Smith emphasizes technical excellence and is filled with exceptionally bright and motivated people,” he says regarding his time at the firm.

Charles Schaefer Charles Schaefer
CDM Smith emphasizes technical excellence and is filled with exceptionally bright and motivated people.
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For industry knowledge and technical leadership in the field of environmental engineering, contact Charles. 
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Meet our PFAS team

Ryan Wymore
Senior Environmental Engineer
Jeff Bamer
Discipline Leader — Remedial Design
Nona Jesmani
Discipline Leader — Water Reclamation
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