Better-trained scientists will result from Wright State’s agreement with EPA

The MOU signing took place at the Water Technology Innovation Cluster (WTIC) Anniversary Event last week at the EPA in Cincinnati. WTIC is a public/private consortium to advance water technology research, development and commercialization in southwestern Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana.

Wright State University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development, enhancing their cooperative relationship. They will work together to identify ways to strengthen Wright State’s research program and explore common interests related to sustainability.

David Dominic, Ph.D., chair and professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, represented Wright State President David R. Hopkins at the signing. The EPA was represented by Lek Kadeli, deputy assistant administrator for management in the Office of Research and Development.

“The cooperation we pledge has the express goal to encourage students’ creative thinking about solutions to drinking water and water infrastructure problems,” Dominic said. “Engaging students in research is the best way to encourage such creative thinking.”

Water is an issue of growing global concern. “Water is the lifeblood of civilization and there are water quality and water quantity issues that are going to be increasingly stressing locations in the United States and throughout the world,” said Hunt Brown, Wright State’s director of sustainability and senior lecturer in Earth and Environmental Sciences. “We need good science, good engineering, and good technologies to make sure we have an abundance of high quality water for our communities both now and in the future.”

The MOU signing took place at the Water Technology Innovation Cluster (WTIC) Anniversary Event last week at the EPA in Cincinnati. WTIC is a public/private consortium to advance water technology research, development and commercialization in southwestern Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana.

“This concept is all about building this region into a world leader in innovative water technologies,” explained Sally Gutierrez, director, EPA Environmental Technology Innovation Cluster Development and Support Program. “That dream will not be realized without qualified and competent students, engineers, technologists, entrepreneurs and the like.”