Category: Speakers

Charles Scaife is a scientist at the US Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office. He found his way to Washington, DC through NOAA’s Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship – a year-long program meant to expose early career scientists to policymaking. Charles has a love for the outdoors that he turned into a research career focused on ecology and hydrology. Prior to DOE, he conducted extensive climate change research across Appalachia in partnership with the US Forest Service and earned his PhD in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia. Now, he works to understand climate change impacts on water resources and renewable energy across the US. In his free time, you’ll find Charles trail running, cycling around town, or reading in the park.

Colin Sasthav is a hydropower engineer at the Department of Energy’s Water Power
Technologies Office. Since middle school, Colin has been passionate about sustainable energy and the environment. He first studied biological engineering before going to graduate school to earn his PhD in Energy Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee where he learned about the interdisciplinary challenges of hydropower. Outside of work, Colin plays almost any sport with a ball (tennis being his main sport) and he enjoys playing video games and reading sci-fi/fantasy novels.

E. Lynn Porta is a water resources policy analyst working at the intersections of communities and governments. She received a Master of Science in Water Resources Policy and Management and a Certificate in Water Conflict Management and Transformation from Oregon State University, and published her MS research on international water politics and changing values of water. During the day, Lynn is currently an Energy & Climate Analyst at Concurrent Technologies Corporation supporting the Department of the Air Force to have water-resilient, mission-supportive systems amid rapidly changing climate and energy policies. In her second “evening” career, Lynn is one of the Co-Founders and current USA Co-President of the North American Youth Parliament for Water, which she helped establish when at Oregon State University. NAYPW works to support the visibility and inclusion of youth and young professionals (ages 18-35) in water resource decision-making spaces across North America/Turtle Island in support of the continent’s progress to achieving SDG 6. Her work with NAYPW led to her speaking at the recent United Nations Water Conference as an expert stakeholder on water and youth. community values, particularly from youth and young professionals, in water management spaces across North America and in the Middle East. If she is not working on one such project, she is reading a book about dragons and elves at the top of a nearby mountain overlook or a tucked-away waterfall.

Dr. Patterson is an accomplished marine scientist with 15 years of experience specializing  in international affairs, international fishery policies, marine conservation, and science communication, education, and outreach. Current portfolio primarily focuses on U.S. and global implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement and addresses policy  issues related to combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Previous works include: coral disease mitigation, marine protected areas, sustainable tourism, and ecosystems management. Katherine is a past WYSE Faculty Advisor too and earned her PhD from George Mason University.