RIVERE℠ Research & Conservation Advisory Board

Feras Batarseh, JM, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department
of Biological Systems
Engineering (BSE), Virginia Tech

Feras’s research spans the areas of Cyberbiosecurity, AI for Agriculture and Water, Data-Driven Public Policy, and AI Assurance. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Agricultural and Applied Economical Association (AAEA), and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI). He has taught AI and Data Science courses at George Mason University (GMU), University of Maryland - Baltimore County (UMBC), Georgetown University, and George Washington University (GWU). He holds courtesy appointments with the Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture (CAIA) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at VT. He is also affiliated with the Center for Advanced Innovation for Agriculture (CAIA) and the National Security Institute (NSI) at VT. Feras obtained his Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Computer Engineering from the University of Central Florida, a Juris Masters of Law from GMU, and a Graduate Certificate in Project Leadership from Cornell University.

Bryan Hofmann, M.En.

Deputy Director,
Friends of the Rappahannock
‍

Bryan Hofmann joined Friends of the Rappahannock in 2013 and is currently the Deputy Director and the coordinator for the RappahannockRiver Roundtable. Bryan is a certified Chesapeake Bay LandscapeProfessional, Virginia Tree Steward, and serves on multiple boards and technical committees for the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program,Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share Program, Virginia Outdoors Plan, the Rapidan Institute, and the Rappahannock River Basin Commission TAC. He earned a B.A. in political science and economics from Xavier University and a M.En. in Environmental Science from Miami University. In his spare time, you can find Bryan fly fishing the Rapidan and Holston Rivers, shucking oysters, or guiding his friends and family through whitewater on his raft.

Kyle Close

Intern

Eldon James, MURP

Coordinator, Rappahannock
River Basin Commission
‍

Eldon has spent over 40 years working in and with Virginia state and local governments. He received a B.S. degree in Recreation Resource Management and his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. He spent seventeen years working in state and local government in positions with the Commission of Outdoor Recreation, the Cooperative Extension Service and King George County, the final 5 years as county administrator. Eldon left King George County government to open Eldon James & Associates, Inc. in 1994 and has served as the principal of this public policy, planning, project and program management firm since then. The consulting firm's current clients include eight Virginia localities, the Rappahannock River Basin Commission, the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association, the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the Virginia Chapter of Elder Law Attorneys.

Ben Odhiambo Kisila, Ph.D.

Professor, Earth & Environmental
Sciences, University of
Mary Washington
‍

Ben’s research interests focus on the environmental evolution of aquatic ecosystems (fluvial, lacustrine, and coastal ecosystems) in relation to land-use intensification. He is interested in water site-specific contaminant sources (sediments, trace metals, nutrients, and organics), as well as broader contaminant issues associated with long-range transport. His research also extends to understanding how climate change and associated sea level rise is affecting nutrient dynamics and carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands. Ben received his B.S. at Nairobi University, a M.S. from the University of Victoria and a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas.

R. Russell Lotspeich, B.S.

Research to Operations and
Experimental Data Lead, USGS
Water Resources Mission Area
‍

Russ is the Research to Operations and Experimental Data Lead for the USGS Water Resources Mission Area’s Observing Systems Division. He leads national efforts to develop and evaluate innovative water monitoring technologies and processes for transition into USGS operational networks. Russ began his career with the USGS in the summer of 2000 as a Hydrologic Technician in the Richmond, VA, field office. He brings over 20 years of experience as a Hydrographer, Field Office Chief and Surface Water Specialist for the Virginia-West Virginia USGS Water Science Center. In April 2021, Russ accepted the role of the Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) Research and Development Sub-Program manager and has been exploring mechanisms to engage industry and academia to advance USGS water data collection and dissemination. Russ earned a B.S. in Geology from the College of William and Mary.

Uma Marques, M.S.

Director, Information Technology,
Roanoke County Government
‍
‍

Uma is a senior technologist with 31 years of technology experience that spans for-profit, not-for-profit, entrepreneurial ventures and local government. Uma currently serves as the Director of Information Technology at the County of Roanoke, VA. Earlier she served as the Director of the Virginia Smart Community Testbed, a public-private initiative with the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation and Stafford Economic Development Authority, to foster innovation for local governments and support economic development in the Commonwealth. Uma holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Anna University, India and Master’s degrees in Computer Engineering (Clemson University) and Technology Management (George Mason University).

David Sample, Ph.D

Professor, Dept. of Biological
Systems Engineering, Virginia
Tech & Extension Specialist,
Virginia Cooperative Extension,
Hampton Roads Agricultural
Research and Extension Center

Before coming to Virginia Tech, David worked as an engineer for over 20 years for municipal, state and federal agencies and consulting firms. He is a registered professional engineer in Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina and has a specialty certification from the American Academy of Water Resource Engineers. His research focuses on improving the management of urban stormwater at its source, and has advanced the design of stormwater control measures (SCMs), also known as best management practices (BMPs), to improve water quality. Outputs from his work include improved mathematical models and monitoring techniques for assessing SCM performance. These outputs support improved design. David’s extension/outreach program has increased awareness of water quality issues and disseminated knowledge on effective stormwater management. David received a B.S. and M.E. from University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) in environmental engineering and a Ph.D. from University of Colorado (Boulder, CO) in Civil Engineering.

Durelle (Scotty) Scott, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Biological
Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech

Scotty is committed to contributing to the sustainability of freshwater resources through his teaching and research activities in the following areas: Water Quality and Quantity; Watershed Restoration; and Aquatic Biogeochemistry. At Virginia Tech, he leads the BSE Undergraduate program, and is a fellow with the Global Change Center. Beyond Virginia Tech, he serves on the Atchafalaya River Science Advisory Team as part of the Nature Conservancy’s Sustainable Rivers Program, and has contributed expertise for other organizations including: Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Klamath River Basin. Scotty earned his B.S., M.S., and PhD. in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Outside of science, he enjoys spending time with his three kids and partner in the outdoors.

Joe Wood, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist,
Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Joe Wood has been a scientist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation since 2014, where he works on a variety of issues including water quality, stormwater, agriculture, wastewater, and freshwater mussel restoration. He consistently serves on technical and stakeholder advisory roles with state agencies. Joe previously worked at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality managing stormwater grants and previously taught high school biology and ecology. He received a Ph.D. in Life Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and has published peer-reviewed journal articles on harmful algal blooms, nutrient loading, food webs, and stream restoration. He also teaches about the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay at VCU. Joe lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife Elizabeth and his son Isley.

Introducing

INTRODUCING RIVERE^℠

RIVERE^℠ Research Advisory Board

Kyle Close

Partners and Stakeholders

Introducing

INTRODUCING RIVERE℠

RIVERE℠ Research Advisory Board

Feras Batarseh, JM, Ph.D.

Bryan Hofmann, M.En.

Kyle Close

Eldon James, MURP

Ben Odhiambo Kisila, Ph.D.

R. Russell Lotspeich, B.S.

Uma Marques, M.S.

David Sample, Ph.D

Durelle (Scotty) Scott, Ph.D.

Joe Wood, Ph.D.

Partners and Stakeholders

INTRODUCING RIVERE^℠

RIVERE^℠ Research Advisory Board