EPA's chief scientist to speak at the U of M Jan. 29 about science priorities in the new presidential administration Contacts: Nina Shepherd, Water Resources Center, (612) 599-1148 Mark Cassutt, University News Service, (612) 624-8038 
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MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 1/14/2009 ) -- Pai-Yei Whung, chief scientist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and head of the agency's Office of the Science Advisor, will speak on "Science Priorities and Using Science for Decision Making at the U.S. EPA" at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, in room 105 of the Cargill Building for Microbial and Plant Genetics, 1500 Gortner Ave., St. Paul. The lecture is sponsored by the university's Water Resources Center, whose co-director Deborah Swackhamer was recently named chair of the EPA's Science Advisory Board. As the EPA's lead scientist, Whung oversees planning, developing and implementing federal cross-agency scientific efforts including program management, coordination of independent scientific opinions and science-policy functions. Appointed chief scientist in 2008, Whung has more than 15 years of field research experience and eight years of program management in bioenergy, air quality, water quality, weather, sustainable ecosystems, climate change and agricultural research. Whung has cultivated a broad perspective on science in the federal government ranging from conducting water quality research to initiating interagency science programs. She has worked with the U.S. Congress, Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology, as well as private-sector stakeholders on scientific initiatives and has lead the development of such policy documents as the Strategic Action Plan for Implementation of a National Integrated Drought Information System. Whung has a doctorate in climate change, marine and atmospheric chemistry; a master's degree in oceanography and marine chemistry; and a bachelor's degree in oceanography and geology. The lecture is free and open to the public. The Water Resources Center is affiliated with the university's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and University of Minnesota Extension and provides Minnesota with leadership in the area of freshwater management through research, education and community outrearch projects. ---------- |
