KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
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Takashi Asano Abstract Title: Water Reuse
Takashi Asano is a pioneer and world-renowned authority in
the field of water recycling and reuse. With more than 40 years of academic and
professional experience in environmental and water resources engineering, his
research and achievements have received international recognition. His
contributions have been acknowledged with numerous awards, which include an
honorary doctorate from the University of Hokkaido and the Jack McKee Medal of
the Water Environment Federation. In 2001, he received the prestigious
“Stockholm Water Prize” for outstanding achievements in worldwide reuse from
the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf.
His years of research and practical application in
wastewater reclamation, recycling and reuse led to the safe use of reclaimed
water, which resulted in California’s water recycling regulations and
practices. These studies were used to promote water reuse in agricultural and
landscape irrigation, groundwater recharge, industries and environmental
improvement throughout the world. In particular, he has contributed to the
development of integrated and efficient use of water for developing countries
in the arid and semi-arid regions.
Born in Sapporo, Japan, Dr. Asano received his M.S.E. in
Sanitary Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and his
Ph.D. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from the University of
Michigan. In 2007, Dr. Asano along with F.L. Burton, H.L. Leverenz, R.
Tsuchihashi, and G. Tchobanoglous published “Water Reuse: Issues, Technologies,
and Applications”—a comprehensive textbook on water recycling and reuse for
students, engineers, scientist and professionals.
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Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta
Abstract Title: Risk Analysis and the Interactions Between Environment and Human Activity
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta has been with the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) for nearly 30 years and is currently the Interim
National Program Director for the Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Program.
As the Interim Director, she is responsible for leading the development of
research to achieve safe, resilient and sustainable solutions to the
increasingly complex water challenges facing US regions, states, tribes,
cities, and rural areas.
Dr. Orme-Zavaleta has experience in the areas of research,
risk assessment, policy and regulation development, strategic planning, and
program implementation. The focus of her work includes the evaluation of risks
to human and ecosystem health, and the influence of environmental change on
human health in response to a variety of stressors including chemicals,
radionuclides, and microorganisms. Recently, she has been working to develop
integrated risk analysis tools that evaluate the interactions between the
environment and human activity.
Dr. Orme-Zavaleta received her Ph.D. in Wildlife Science and
Public Health from Oregon State University.
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Robert A. Underwood
Robert A. Underwood is a distinguished educator and the
current president of the University of Guam. His commitment to high educational
standards began as a classroom teacher in Guam’s public school system and
progressed to a notable career at the University of Guam as a faculty member,
Dean of the College of Education, Academic Vice President, and Director of the
Bilingual Education Assistance for Micronesia. He is an acknowledged authority
on the cultural, educational, and linguistic issues as well as
federal-territorial relations in Guam and Micronesia.
As the Guam delegate to the US Congress from 1993 to 2003,
he sponsored major legislation for Guam that resolved land disputes with the
federal government, advocated for the extension of educational and social
opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and emphasized the
importance of Guam and the Asian Pacific region in national strategic policy.
Dr. Underwood received his MA in History from the California
State University at Los Angeles, a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning and Administration
from the University of Southern California, and graduated from the selective
and innovative Program for Management Development offered at Harvard University
to encourage a cutting-edge approach to leadership.
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INVITED SPEAKERS |
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Mark Chappell
Abstract Title: Potential Saline-Sodic Pedogenesis in Soils From Climate-Change Mediated Sea-Level Rise
Mark Chappell is an expert in soil chemistry, and as a
research physical scientist—and leader of the Soil and Sediment Geochemistry
Team at the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg,
Mississippi—is researching the environmental fate of contaminants in soils and
sediments. His research involves a variety of projects investigating the
solid-phase speciation of soil metals, explosives, humic organic carbon phases,
and nanomaterial interactions in complex environmental systems.
Dr. Chappell received a B.S. in Agronomy (Crop Science) from
Brigham Young University, an M.S. in Soil and Plant Sciences from the
University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. in Soil Science from Iowa State University.
He has authored several publications on the interaction, fate, and transport of
contaminants in soil and sediments.
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Melissa Finucane
Abstract Title: Integrating Physical and Social Sciences to Support Decision Making About Fresh Water Resources on Pacific Islands
Melissa Finucane is a Senior Fellow at the East-West Center
in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her research focuses on how people judge situations,
assess risks, and makes decisions as influenced by psychological, emotional,
and socio-cultural factors, particularly regarding climate. She is currently
the Lead Principal Investigator for the NOAA-funded Pacific Regional Integrated
Sciences and Assessments (RISA) program, which strives to enhance and
facilitate the understanding, planning for, and responding to changing climate
conditions by Pacific Island communities through integrated research,
assessment, and outreach activities. Funding for research has also been through
the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and other
organizations.
Dr. Finucane received an M.Psych. and a Ph.D. in Psychology
from the University of Western Australia. She has been published in numerous
peer-reviewed journals, including Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, Risk Analysis, and Social Science and Medicine.
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Thomas W. Giambelluca
Abstract
Title: Introducing the New Rainfall Atlas of Hawai‘i
Thomas W. Giambelluca has over 30 years of experience
conducting research on the climate and hydrology of Hawaii and other tropical
regions. Since 1987, he has led the collaborative work on microclimate energy
balance, and the impacts of global climate change, on the upper slopes of
Haleakala Volcano, Maui. His team of researchers are studying cloud forest hydrology
in native and invaded forests on Maui and the island of Hawaii, where he is
operating two state-of-the-art eddy covariance flux towers in the Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park. In addition, his team is mapping patterns of mean
rainfall, temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and evapotranspiration in
Hawaii. Dr. Giambelluca is also working extensively in other areas of the
tropics, including Southeast Asia, where he is studying the impacts of
expanding rubber cultivation on regional water and carbon fluxes.
Dr. Giambelluca received a B.S. (cum laude) in Geography and
Mathematics from the University of Miami, an M.A. in Geography (Climatology)
from the University of Miami, and a Ph.D. in Geography (Climatology) from the
University of Hawaii.
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Wojciech M. Jadwisienczak
Abstract
Title: Water Disinfection of Bacillus Subtilis Spores Using Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diodes
Wojciech M. Jadwisienczak specializes in research that
focuses on optical and electrical properties of semiconductor devices,
phosphors, photonic crystals and waveguides, and the physics and spectroscopy
of low dimensional structures. In particular, he is involved with the
spectroscopy of III-nitrides doped with lanthanides. He recently initiated work
on the development of solid-state deep UV light sources for germicidal
applications.
Dr. Jadwisienczak is a member of the American Physical
Society, Materials Research Society, and Optical Society of America, and has
published more than 50 scientific papers. At the European Materials Research
Society (E-MRS) 2000 Spring Meeting in Strasbourg, France, he received the
Young Scientist Award for the best paper presented at Symposium K: Rare Earth
Doped Semiconductors.
Dr. Jadwisienczak received his M.S. in microelectronics from
Nicolas Copernicus University in Poland and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
from Ohio University for the study of III-nitride semiconductors.
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L. Stephen Lau
Abstract
Title: Learning About the Natural Waters in Humid Tropical Islands for Sustainable Communities Objectives/Hydrology of Hawaiian Islands
L. Stephen Lau is a professor emeritus of Civil Engineering
at the University of Hawaii. In September 1964, he and
Dr. Doak C. Cox founded
the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) to address the
goals of water legislation proposed by the US Congress under the Water
Resources Research Act. Consequently, he served as the director of WRRC for
almost 20 years from 1971 to 1990.
Recognition of Dr. Lau’s distinguished career includes a
Senior Fulbright Scholar at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and he has
received the George Warren Fuller Award from the American Water Works
Association. He has been a consultant to the World Health Organization, the
World Bank, and the United Nations, and has served on the Hawaii State Water
Commission and advised the state’s Office of Environmental Quality Control.
Dr. Lau received his Ph.D. in Engineering from the
University of California at Berkeley and authored many peer reviewed
publications throughout his career. After his retirement, he co-authored
“Hydrology of the Hawaiian Islands” with John F. Mink in 2006.
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Martin Roush
Abstract Title: The Path to Guam Waterworks Authority Overarching Sustainability: Building Leadership Capacity
Martin Roush was recently appointed as the General Manager
for the Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA). Prior to his selection, he was the
Chief Engineer for GWA for 2 years, and was credited as being instrumental in
finding a solution to ensure GWA complies with the US Environmental Protection
Agency’s Clean Water Act while providing potable water and wastewater services
to the island of Guam. He has accrued over 25 years of experience in leadership
positions in the public sector in the areas of public works, water utilities,
and wastewater utilities. More specifically, he has practical experience in
development review and public works infrastructure planning and engineering,
financing, design, engineering review, project management, and construction
management. A few of his previous positions include the City Manager of Benson,
Arizona, and the Public Works Director and Utility Director for Sahuarita,
Arizona.
Mr. Roush has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a M.S. in
Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona. He also holds professional licenses
in both civil and electrical engineering.
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John J. Sansalone
Abstract Title: Myths, Models and Measurement of Particle Transport and Fate
John Sansalone is a Professor of Engineering at the
University of Florida Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and
Environment (ESSIE) and also currently teaches at several universities across
Italy. His research and teaching focuses on the effect of changes in the
environment due to the presence or activities of humans on nature (e.g.,
environmental pollution) and the combination of hydrology, chemistry, and
particle transport and thermal loads in our built environs. More specifically,
Dr. Sansalone’s research examines a basic approach to monitoring and measuring
urban hydrologic and soil phenomena, the development of materials such as
engineered soil media and permeable pavement for in-situ mitigation, and the
use of physical models of unit operations and process concepts to validate
mathematically the mechanistic behavior of urban water treatment systems. He
uses numerical tools, such as continuous simulation models and computation
fluid dynamics, to examine, design, and analyze urban runoff and wastewater
treatment systems.
Dr. Sansalone received his Ph.D. in Environmental
Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and is a licensed Professional
Engineer.
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Edward T. Teixeira
Abstract Title: Impact of Disasters in Hawaii on Surface Water Systems
Edward T. Teixeira is the Vice Director of the State Civil
Defense and is responsible for coordinating Hawaii’s emergency management and
homeland security activities. He is also in charge of the Civil Defense
Division, located at the Birkhimer Emergency Operating Center in Diamond Head
Crater.
The mission of the Civil Defense Division is to prepare for
and respond to disasters and emergencies caused by natural or man-made hazards.
This mission is implemented through hazard mitigation, disaster preparedness,
homeland security, emergency response, and disaster recovery programs.
During major disasters, Mr. Teixeira normally serves in the
role of the State Coordinating Officer and the Governor’s Authorized
Representative. In this capacity, he coordinates the State disaster response
actions and works closely with the Federal Coordinating Officer, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, and with other officials from the Department of
Homeland Security.
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Richard Wallsgrove
Abstract Title: Hawai‘i's Law and Policy Toolkit: Climate Change Adaptation and Water Resource Management
Richard Wallsgrove is a Honolulu attorney with a legal
practice that covers a broad spectrum of areas including business and
commercial law, litigation, natural resources, technology and science, and
energy. He is also working with the Center for Island Climate Adaptation and
Policy to analyze climate adaptation tools for water resource management in
Hawaii.
As a graduate student, Mr. Wallsgrove studied paleo-climate
proxies using biochemical markers found in marine phytoplankton. His studies on
alkenones may someday help researchers understand the role of greenhouse gases
in Earth’s history. As a law student, he authored articles analyzing Hawaii’s
shoreline issues, the development of sustainable energy resources, and Native
Hawaiian rights.
Mr. Wallsgrove received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University
of California at Berkeley, an M.S. in Chemical Oceanography from the University
of Hawaii, and graduated summa cum laude with a J.D. from the Williamson S.
Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii. He recently taught a
course at the law school that focused on encouraging technological,
environmental, and social entrepreneurship in Hawaii.
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Jan C. War
Abstract Title: Economic Development Opportunities for Tropical Islands at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority
Jan War is currently the Operations Manager of the 847-acre
Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) facility. With over 30
years of experience with NELHA in various capacities, he is considered an
expert in the fields of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), mariculture,
the utilization of deep ocean water, and the seawater air conditioning process.
As such, he has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada,
Mexico, Europe, the Indo-Pacific region, and Southeast Asia.
An Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii) graduate, Mr. War has a B.S. in
Biology, minoring in Chemistry and English Literature, from the University of
New Mexico.
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