About Dr. Summers: Currently a research faculty member at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and a Practice Leader at KCI Technologies Inc. Prior to these positions, Bob Summers served over three decades with the state of Maryland before retiring as Secretary of the Environment. His expertise and leadership over his career played a critical role in Maryland’s progressive environmental programs, including advances in pollution control, protection of drinking water and environmental regulatory compliance.
About Dr. Dennison: Dr. Bill Dennison is a Professor of Marine Science and Vice President for Science Applications at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. His primary work is to coordinate the Integration and Application Network, a group of scientists committed to solving, not just studying, environmental problems. Dr. Dennison has pioneered visual science communication and has authored numerous books, papers, and reports on science communication, environmental assessment, and integrating science onto decision making.
About Dr. Kelsey: Dr. Heath Kelsey is the Program Director for the Integration and Application Network and oversees project management, communication coordination, and data analysis. He has developed ecosystem health report cards in Chesapeake Bay, Mississippi River, Australia, and India, and has facilitated the development of standard indicators and methods for local watershed organizations in the mid-Atlantic. His research specialties include Environmental and Public Health Assessment, Science in Policy, Coastal Zone Management, Pollution Indicators, Bacterial Source Tracking, Land Use and Nonpoint Source Pollution, Hydrology, and International Development.
About Dr. Filoso: Solange Filoso is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science with expertise in freshwater ecosystems, water quality, restoration ecology, nutrient dynamics and stormwater management. She has over 20 years of experience developing, implementing and coordinating projects in Brazil and in the US to assess the effects of human activities (including ecological restoration) on the environment, with a focus on water resources and climate. On-going or recent projects include: 1. Studying the effects of forest restoration in Brazil on the recovery of ecosystem services such as freshwater provision and purification, soil conservation, and biodiversity. 2. Assessing the effectiveness of best management practices and stream restoration in urban watersheds in the Washington DC-Maryland region. 3. Studying how the conversion of degraded pastures into managed pastures or sugarcane agriculture in Brazil affects emissions of green-house gases. 4. Studying the capacity of riparian forests in the humid tropics at protecting headwater streams draining intensive agriculture.
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