Prof. Ward Wilson, Chair of Mining and the Environment at UBC, has achieved international recognition for his analysis, design, and construction of soil cover systems for mine waste, rock dumps and tailings facilities. His work provides the basis for solutions to environmental problems facing the mining industry; professionals around the world use his computer model SoilCover to design effective geotechnical controls on acid rock drainage. After eight years of professional engineering practice, Dr. Wilson turned to academia in 1990, where he has proven to be a remarkably effective teacher and an innovative researcher.