Odera Umeh Earns Presenter Award at 2026 AWWA-NJ Annual Conference
Posted in: Department Research, Environmental Science and Management PhD, Students
Odera Umeh, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Earth and Environmental Studies under the advisement of Dr. Duke Ophori, delivered a talk on the PFAS crisis in New Jersey at the 2026 American Water Works Association – New Jersey (AWWA-NJ) Annual Conference, a gathering of professionals from 53 environmental consulting and water utility companies in the U.S.
His presentation highlighted the major contributing threats to the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) crisis in the state, the growing challenges posed by these chemicals in our water systems, and out-of-the-box mitigative approaches. Odera’s talk left water professionals inspired and earned him recognition from the conference judging panel with the second-best presenter award, placing him among the top presenters at one of New Jersey’s premier water industry gatherings.
We are proud of this achievement and look forward to your continued contributions to the field.