Roundtable Discussion: Stormwater Runoff in Missouri
Join our virtual roundtable discussion to learn from local experts about how science can inform evidence-based clean water policies. This month's roundtable discussion will bring together local experts about how science can inform policy interventions related to stormwater runoff in Missouri.
This event is proudly co-organized with the Mid-America Regional Council and will be co-moderated by Missouri LSEN Coordinator, Ngozi Ndekwu, and MARC Water Quality Planner, Synthia Isah.
Meet the Moderators
Synthia Isah, Water Quality Planner at Mid-America Regional Council
Synthia is an Environmental Planner based in Kansas City, MO. She received a degree in Urban Studies and Planning from MIT with an emphasis in Environmental Policy and Planning in a global context. Synthia currently works as a Water Quality Planner at the Mid-America Regional Council where she manages a variety of watershed planning and environmental justice projects.
Ngozi Ndekwu, Missouri Local Science Engagement Network Coordinator
Dr. Ngozi earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration at the University of Missouri (MU). She has experience in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Ngozi is passionate about strengthening the healthcare system, improving the quality of care delivery, and enhancing health equity.
Meet the Panelists
More panelists will be announced before the end of March. Check back for updates!
Tom Jacobs, Environmental Programs Director at Mid-America Regional Council
Tom Jacobs is the Director of Environmental Programs at the Mid-America Regional Council, Kansas City’s regional planning organization. He has lead numerous regional stormwater and watershed management efforts in metro Kansas City, including updates to the regional stormwater engineering standards, the creation of a stormwater BMP manual, development of several model ordinances including one focused on stream setbacks, and the development of a Regional Green Infrastructure Framework.
Robin Rotman, JD, Assistant Professor of Energy & Environmental Law and Policy at University of Missouri-Columbia
Robin Rotman is an attorney; she previously served as Assistant General Counsel of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and as an attorney in private practice in Washington DC. Robin’s research interests include water resources and water quality, land use law and policy, and environmental justice. She co-teaches the School of Natural Resources Graduate Seminar in Water Resources and is a core faculty member in the Water Resources Graduate Emphasis Area.
Joel Burken, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, F.AEESP, Missouri S&T
Dr. Burken received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1996, where he conducted some of the initial research on phytoremediation. He has been at Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri – Rolla) since 1997. He currently serves as Chair and Curators’ Distinguished Professor of the Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department, Dr. Burken has also held temporary positions at: EAWAG in Zurich Switzerland (research intern), at the National Environment Research Institute (NERI) in Denmark (visiting researcher and OECD Fellow) and at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand as an Erskine Fellow. Dr. Burken has served a variety of national professional and agency-related leadership roles. He was elected to the president of the Board of Directors of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) and currently is elected to the ASCE Department Heads Coordinating Council and serving as chair of the council. He is a past member of the US EPA Science Advisory Board,
serving from 2016 - 2021. He is currently the Chair of the ASCE Department Heads Coordinating Council and on the ASCE Committee on Education.