I am happy to share some brief highlights from VT EPSCoR in this summer e-newsletter.
At our recent All Hands Meeting, Neil Kamman, Sr. Policy Advisor, from the VT Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), spoke about the alignment between VT EPSCoR and the DEC. Neil mentioned several aspects of our research that have directly informed the DEC. In particular, Dr. Patrick Bitterman’s research on externalizing water quality delivery and executing that on a regional basis, effected policy and was turned into Vermont law through the enactment of S.96 – “an act relating to the provision of water quality services”. I encourage you to read more about this in the All Hands Meeting article in this e-newsletter issue.
There is also an update from the Policy and Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) meeting that was held jointly with the International Joint Commission (IJC) discussion on Mississqoui Bay sponsored by several stakeholders including the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP).
Our field season is in full swing and the Undergraduate Summer Intern and High School programs are well underway through the Center for Workforce Development and Diversity (CWDD) at Saint Michael’s College. This year’s cohorts are especially well positioned to experience our interdisciplinary research with the Ecological, Social and Integrate Assessment Modeling Teams. We look forward to hearing more at the upcoming symposiums.
Please save the date for the upcoming Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) http://www.sbirroadtour.com/ Road Tour on September 16, 2019 at the University of Vermont. Several federal agency officials will be available to provide information on funding opportunities and one-on-one meetings.
I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for the vital role that you have in the success of this important work!
Arne Bomblies, Ph.D., P.E.
Vermont State EPSCoR Director
