Dr. John A. Gillies has 30 years experience in the research field of aeolian processes. Currently his research focuses on the physics of sand transport and fugitive dust emission by wind and anthropogenic processes. This work covers the full spectrum of the system from the controls on the initiation of sediment and the transport phase through to the deposition process. As part of his research he has also been involved in developing mitigative actions that can be used to ameliorate environmental problems associated with aeolian sediment transport processes. A second major research initiative he is currently working on is understanding and modeling boundary-layer flow over sparsely vegetated rangelands, Antarctic polar desert surfaces, and Martian surfaces to characterize the effects of the roughness elements on sand transport and dust emissions. He is using shear stress partitioning theory and full scale field-testing to reconcile model predictions with measurements. Dr. Gillies is also investigating the effectiveness of engineered roughness and managed vegetation covers to reduce dust emissions from susceptible surfaces. Dr. Gillies has collaborated in the design, construction, and utilization of portable field wind tunnels and the attendant specialized instrumentation for measuring surface shear stress and the in situ emission rates of particulates from various types of surface that are susceptible to wind erosion and fugitive emissions. He has also been involved in developing tower-based monitoring systems for measuring particulate concentration profiles in the atmosphere for estimating vertical fluxes. This instrumentation was developed primarily for use in remote, logistically difficult situations. He has also been involved in research that has examined the role of the surficial characteristics that control the release of dust to the atmosphere in the southwest United States, West Africa, and Canada.

Aeolian processes, fugitive dust emissions