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Tag: 2022

Corey Payne

COREY PAYNE

Faculty Advisor

Corey earned his PhD in Science Education from the University of Florida studying issues of representation in STEM.  He is currently an Evaluation Specialist at ORAU conducting program evaluations for the Department of Energy’s Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) portfolio which funds education initiatives at National Labs and Universities. During graduate school, he worked on an NSF-funded project to redesign chemistry laboratory curriculum for engineers to increase the retention and performance of underrepresented students. Outside of educational research he has worked with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in the forest ecology lab studying canopy structures and their relation to global climate change. He has volunteered at the Whitney Labs studying climate change and the effect of the expansion of mangroves into Florida. In his free time, he enjoys restoring vintage mountain bikes, tubing in the Florida springs, and swimming in the ocean with his dog Maple.

Erica R. McKenzie

ERICA MCKENZIE

Faculty Advisor

Erica McKenzie was originally attracted to environmental engineering to better understand human-impacted natural environments, and she is currently an associate professor at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.  She completed an environmental engineering doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) at University of California at Davis, where she researched the water quality implication of runoff from highways, urban areas, and agricultural fields (think of the water that collects in the street or flows over a lawn when it rains). Additionally, while at UC Davis, Erica was involved in Engineers Without Borders and participated in projects to improve drinking water and sanitation for rural Ugandans; she was able to travel to Uganda twice. In her current position in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Temple University, Erica teaches classes and conducts research on water quality, particularly looking at pollutant movement through the environment or engineered treatment systems. When she’s not working, Erica enjoys outdoors activities, and particularly enjoys riding bikes and running.

Kevin Magerr

KEVIN MAGERR

Faculty Advisor

Mr. Kevin Magerr is a professional engineer with nearly forty years of experience in environmental protection.  Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Widener University and a Master of Science in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering from Villanova University, and has completed more than two dozen specialty courses and certifications throughout his career. As an EPA Alum, Kevin has worked in a number of environmental programs including air and water protection.  For the last 15 years, he conducted environmental assessments of major capital projects including airports, nuclear power plants, off-shore wind farms, mass transit and highway projects.  He has worked on numerous publications, as well as teaching experience in several universities, at the high school level and has been recognized by multiple awards, including the Gold Medal for Excellence in Government. Kevin continues teaching and advising at Temple University in several areas: Biotechnology, and Civil and Environmental Engineering at the graduate level, Environmental Science at the undergraduate level, and as Senior Faculty Advisor for the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment at George Mason University. Kevin is very active in the community by working with high school students in track and cross-country programs, and being on the Executive Board at the Nicholas Newlin Foundation for the Historic Newlin Grist Mill. When not working he enjoys hiking and kayaking.

Maction Komwa, Ph.D.

MACTION KOMWA

Faculty Advisor

Maction Komwa, an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science (GGS), is a dedicated educator with a wealth of knowledge in environmental geography, conservation, and sustainability. His teaching portfolio includes undergraduate and graduate courses covering resource conservation, biogeography, geospatial technologies, and sustainable development. Since joining the Geography department, a decade ago, Dr. Komwa has demonstrably impacted student development by cultivating a passion for environmental problem-solving. His innovative teaching and mentorship have inspired numerous students to pursue careers and research focused on creating a more sustainable future. Utilizing the power of geospatial tools, Dr. Komwa equips students with cutting-edge skills to analyze and address critical environmental challenges, including pressing issues in resource conservation, the complexities of global food systems, and the development of impactful sustainable development initiatives. His commitment extends beyond the classroom, fostering a dynamic learning environment where students actively engage with real-world problems and develop the analytical and collaborative skills necessary to become effective environmental stewards. For over a decade now, Dr. Komwa has been the Faculty Advisor for the WYSE program and he is delighted to extend a warm welcome to the delegates for Summer 2025.

Gretchen Gorecki

GRETCHEN GORECKI

Faculty Advisor

Gretchen Gorecki is the Natural Resource Manager at the Virginia Department of Conservation’s Division of State Parks. She implements resource management activities including invasive species management, native species habitat restoration, prescribed burning, sustainable trail work, policy development, and regulatory compliance. Gretchen was previously an environmental consultant primarily for federal clients, where she focused on natural resource program management, strategic partnership initiatives, encroachment strategies, and geospatial analyses. Gretchen completed her MSc in Biodiversity, Wildlife, and Ecosystem Health from the University of Edinburgh. She obtained her BS in Environmental Science and Geography and received a GISc Certificate from the University of Mary Washington. She is a certified GIS Professional, completed fellowships with the Environmental Leadership Program and the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute, and is a member of the UMW Eagle Pipe Band. Gretchen enjoys hiking, backpacking, stand up paddle boarding, rock climbing, and spending time at her backyard farm.

Donielle Nolan

DONI NOLAN

Greenhouse Coordinator, George Mason University

Doni Nolan graduated from Mason in the spring of 2014 with her BA in Biology. During her years as a student she volunteered for Monica Marcelli in the greenhouse and always dreamed of having her own greenhouse one day. For three years she was the President of the GMU Organic Garden Association. She joined the Office of Sustainability in 2013 as the summer intern for the Potomac Heights Organic Vegetable Garden and later as the assistant coordinator for the 2014 Permaculture Design Certification Course. After working all summer in the garden, she knew that growing food was her passion. She is delighted to continue teaching students and community members about growing their own food through her current position as the Greenhouse Coordinator for the President’s Park Greenhouse. The facility utilizes hydroponics to grow lettuce, micro greens, basil and other herbs that are served at Ike’s dining hall.

Dr. Dann Sklarew

DR. DANN SKLAREW

Professor, George Mason University

Dr. Sklarew has researched and developed numerous methods to assist environmental policy, management and compliance. For EPA’s Office of Water, he identified and characterized watershed management tools, and created a Web-based decision support system to help companies comply with industry- specific federal water pollution permitting rules. As a Smithsonian Fellow, he developed a nitrogen budget for the semi-rural Rhode River basin (MD), validating demographic and agricultural census data through local interviews with residents, farmers and even the town veterinarian.

Dr. Sklarew has investigated various ways to help diverse partnerships address common ecological problems. He documented global challenges and successes in managing coastal and marine resources as producer and scriptwriter for a video documentary, Turning the Tide: Sustaining Earth’s Large Marine Ecosystems.