1st Annual Meeting
A Conversation on Advances in Water Science and Technology
March 12-13, 2023
SUNY ESF, Syracuse NY
This meeting brought together researchers, partners and stakeholders for in depth discussions and networking as we looked to find cooperative ways to address current and emerging water issues in New York.
Agenda
Sunday, March 12, 2023
5:00 PM Networking Dinner [Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center, Comstock Ballroom]
Monday, March 13, 2023
8:30 AM Poster set up [Gateway Center Atrium, SUNY ESF]
9:00 AM Check-in [Gateway Center]
9:30 AM Welcome from the Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions
- Stefan Grimberg, Professor Civil & Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University
- Stephen Shaw, Associate Professor, Environmental Resources Engineering, SUNY ESF
9:45 AM Roundtable Discussion: Emerging Needs of Academia, Industry, and Regulatory Agencies
- Moderator: Michelle Crimi, Interim Vice Provost for Research & Technology, Clarkson University
- Emad Rahim, Surge Entrepreneurship Manager, CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity
- Alexander J. Smith, Bureau Director, Water Assessment and Management, Division of Water, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
- John Stella, Vice President for Research, SUNY ESF
10:30 AM Break
10:45 AM Breakout Session I: Getting Ahead of Research Needs
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
- Moderator: Michelle Crimi, Interim Vice Provost for Research & Technology, Clarkson University
- Gary Ginsberg, Director, NYS Department of Health Center for Environmental Health (CEH)
- Scott Grieco, Global Technology Leader – PFAS & Emerging Contaminants, Jacobs
- Selma Mededovic, Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Clarkson University
- HABs (harmful algal blooms)
- Moderator: Roxanne Razavi, Assistant Professor, Environmental Biology, SUNY ESF
- Rebecca Gorney, Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Igor Mrdjen, Founder, BloomOptix
- Anthony Prestigiacomo, Research Scientist, Finger Lakes Watershed Hub, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
11:45 AM Poster Session – CoE Research and Results
12:30 PM Lunch
1:30 PM Breakout Session II: Academic Capabilities and Partnerships
- Water Needs of Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities
- Moderator: Stefan Grimberg, Professor Civil & Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University
- Shannon Harty, Commissioner, Onondaga County Water Environment Protection
- Jim Lozier, Global Technology Leader – Membrane Treatment / Advanced Water Solutions, Jacobs
- David Speed, Distinguished Member Of Technical Staff, GlobalFoundries
- Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
- Moderator: Stephen Shaw, Associate Professor, Environmental Resources Engineering, SUNY ESF
- Jayme Breschard, Climate Action Specialist, Barton & Loguidice
- Elizabeth Carter, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University
- Kristen Hychka, Research and Outreach Specialist, NYS Water Resources Institute
2:30 PM Report Out – Breakout Session Takeaways
3:00 PM Adjourn
Funding and Support

In 2019 New York State designated Clarkson University and SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (ESF) to co-lead the Center of Excellence (CoE) in Healthy Water Solutions. Its mission is to generate solutions that help to protect and improve waters for sustainable natural environments, healthy populations, resilient communities and sound economies.
NYS Centers of Excellence are funded by the New York State Department of Economic Developmentās Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR) to foster collaboration between the academic research community and the business sector to develop and commercialize new products and technologies, to promote critical private sector investment in emerging high-technology fields in New York State, and to create and expand technology-related businesses and employment. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the New York State Department of Economic Development.