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Success Stories
NRMRL-Edison donates computers to local school
Students at Lincoln Elementary School in Edison, N.J., started this school year off with a surprise - a new computer lab thanks to the efforts of NRMRL’s Diana Ruffini. After completion of the Customer Technology Solutions (CTS) computer deployment in April, many unused computers were likely to be sent to warehouse storage or recycled/reused in separate parts. Ruffini, a WSWRD program analyst in Edison, wanted to find a productive way to utilize the computers and give back to the community. She contacted the Property Management and Services Division in Cincinnati to inquire about the policy and procedure to have the computers donated to a local school. Lincoln Elementary is one of many schools across the United States affected by significant budget cuts, but thanks to extensive research and leg work by Ruffini, 10 fully operational computer systems were donated to the school. The new “tech center” in Lincoln’s library enables students to use the computers as a valuable educational and research tool while also affording them the opportunity to learn how to type. Kosusko recognized for development of pesticide technology verification protocol
NRMRL scientist Mike Kosusko was a recent recipient of a Superior Accomplishment Recognition Award from the Office of Pesticide Programs. Kosusko was recognized for his contributions to the Drift Reduction Technology (DRT) Program, a joint OPP and ORD initiative aimed at reducing risks to humans and the environment from off-target pesticide spray drift. He serves as project manager for DRT verification under ORD’s Environmental and Sustainable Technologies Evaluation program. Kosusko shared the award with ORD’s Dr. Norman Birchfield. Together, they have provided OPP staff with guidance about the evaluation program, engaged contractors and other industry partners, coordinated the execution of protocol validation tests, and provided insights to improving the initiative’s verification test protocol. Their technical assistance has played a significant role in moving the DRT initiative from development to the operational stage. Outcomes of the initiative will have significant impacts on EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment by reducing pesticide exposure to humans, sensitive species, crops, and waterways.  Scientists receive Innovation AwardNRMRL scientists Joe Williams and Curtis Cooper were recent recipients of the Office of Environmental Information’s Chief Information Officer Innovation Award. Williams, NRMRL’s Acting Assistant Laboratory Director for Water Research, was recognized for his leadership role in the design and development of Watershed Central, a web-based resource for watershed information and management tools. Cooper, a post-doc in the Ground Water and Ecosystem Restoration Division, was recognized for his leadership in the design, testing and evaluation of the site’s wiki component. 
Watershed Central facilitates the exchange of information between people involved in the watershed planning process. Users can reference environmental data, watershed models, guidance documents, nearby local organizations, technical resources and funding. The site is interactive, allowing user input via the Watershed Central Wiki and discussion forums. The award was shared with staff from OEI, Office of Water, and Region 4. The team received the award at the OEI Awards Ceremony July 28 in Washington, D.C. WSWRD receives AWWA best paper award
The American Water Works Association selected “Pitting Corrosion of Copper in Water with High pH and Low Alkalinity” as co-winner of the 2009 AWWA Water Science and Research Division Best Paper Award. The paper was written by Water Supply and Water Resources Division engineer Michael Shock and Dr. Darren Lytle, Acting Chief of Water Supply and Water Resources Division (WSWRD), Treatment Technology Evaluation Branch. Dr. Lytle accepted the award at AWWA’s annual conference, held June 14 to 18 in San Diego. Tom Sorg receives National Honor Award
Initiated in 2002, the program has evaluated the performance, reliability, and cost of arsenic removal technologies and their effect on distribution systems across the country. Sorg has directed demonstrations at 50 selected public water facilities, providing states and water utility operators with important information about removing arsenic from their drinking water. The project recently finished its final round of 10 installations, with performance studies expected to continue for another 18 months. Over 50 performance evaluation reports have been completed and appear on the NRMRL arsenic web site. The Science Achievement Award recognizes outstanding contributions in specific technical fields. Selection for the engineering award is made by a peer panel from EPA and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Administrator Jackson presented the award at the Agency’s annual National Honor Awards. Dave Reisman Adds Expertise to Award Winning Team
NRMRL’s Dave Reisman recently participated on a team that received top honors from Region 10’s Office of Environmental Cleanup. The team members from the Office of Research and Development, Region 10 and the State of Idaho received recognition as the Regional Superfund Team of the Year for work on the FMC Idaho, LLC, Pond 16S site. Reisman, who is on detail as the Associate Director of the Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division from normal duties as the Division’s Director of the Engineering Technical Support Center, served on the team as the technical expert on issues relating to phosphine gas extraction and other relevant remediation issues. Pond 16S became a concern for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 10 in 2006 when intermittent emissions from the self-ignition of phosphine gas became visible. The gas is a product resulting from the mixing of incompatible wastes. The reactions underneath the cap escape through temperature monitoring probes meet an aerobic environment and produce a white smoke. This smoke emanating from the probes is what originally alerted environmental officials of a problem. Dan Murray Receives AAEE BCEE Certification
Murray’s 29 years at EPA include work with Region 5 in Cleveland and Region 1 in Boston. Prior to his arrival at the Office of Research and Development’s Center for Environmental Research Information in 1990, he led the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s combined sewer overflow facilities planning efforts as a senior program manager. He has been with NRMRL since its inception in 1995, holding Branch Chief and Division Director positions with the Technology Transfer Support Division. In 1995, Murray received EPA’s highest honor - The Gold Medal for Exceptional Service - for his work in developing the Agency’s Combined Sewer Overflow Policy. In 2005, he served as interim coordinator of the Agency’s Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative, while on a detail with the Office of Water. Murray currently serves WSWRD as the Senior Advisor for Water Quality, and is the Program Coordinator for ORD’s Aging Water Infrastructure Research Program. Founded in 1955, AAEE is a society of professional engineers dedicated to improving the practice, elevating the standards, and advancing the cause of environmental engineering. BCEE certification is recognized worldwide as a mark of engineering excellence. BCEE certification by eminence requires a formal nomination, and recognizes engineering professionals that have been practicing for at least 20 years, with 10 years in a senior leadership position. The certification also requires an additional professional engineering license. Biographical information about certified individuals is published annually in Who’s Who in Environmental Engineering. Physical Scientist represents NRMRL in EPA Year of Science 2009
Rebecca Dodder, a senior physical scientist in NRMRL’s Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division, was one of April’s featured scientists for the Year of Science 2009 celebration. Dodder works on computer modeling of the U.S. energy system, looking at the environmental impact of using biomass as an energy source for transportation fuels, industrial energy, and electric power. The Year of Science 2009 is a year-long, nationwide effort to engage the American public in activities that stimulate interest in science. Dodder and three other scientists were featured in the month of April, which highlighted energy resources. Department of the Interior recognizes Bob Puls for Conservation WorkOn May 7, Dr. Robert Puls, Acting Director of NRMRL’s Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division in Ada, Oklahoma, was presented a Partners in Conservation Award by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Puls was part of a coalition of individuals and agencies who worked collaboratively with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Chickasaw Nation to protect valuable aquifer resources and to improve water resource conditions in Oklahoma. The award recognizes the cooperation and participation of 600 individuals and organizations including landowners; citizens’ groups; private sector and nongovernmental organizations; and federal, state, local, and/or tribal governments. Puls represented EPA on technical matters related to aquifer geochemical impacts from aquifer storage and recharge issues. AIChE Approves Curran as Fellow
Dr. Albert Venosa Receives Pioneer Award
Gutierrez brings EPA Science to the University of Arizona
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