Announcing the 2025 NC WRRI Annual Conference Plenary Speakers
Dr. Branko Kerkez, Associate Department Chair for Research and an Arthur F. Thurnau Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan
Branko Kerkez is the Associate Department Chair for Research and an Arthur F. Thurnau Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan. Kerkez is also the Director of the Urban Collaboratory, a collaboration between University of Michigan faculty and students and city stakeholders who are working together to address emerging environmental challenges. Kerkez and his research group are seeking to understand human-to-machine collaboration so that artificial intelligence can be seen and used as a tool for water systems. Furthermore, Kerkez has experience working with water utilities to optimize energy recovery and resource extraction in treatment plants and incorporating sensor data that can improve process controls and energy consumption. He’s approaching regional water management through sensor deployment and creating “digital watersheds” that allow for a holistic view of flow management in urban and rural areas. Kerkez and his research team are moving the needle by utilizing tech in water through sensors, algorithms, and decision support tools and his work is at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence to address real world problems. View his research group’s latest work here: www.digitalwaterlab.org.
Stacey Feken, Policy and Engagement Manager at Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP)
Dr. Branko Kerkez, Associate Department Chair for Research and an Arthur F. Thurnau Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan
Dr. Barbara Doll, Water Protection and Restoration Specialist at NC Sea Grant & Associate Extension Professor & Extension Specialist in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at NC State
Stacey Feken, Policy and Engagement Manager at Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP)
Dr. Branko Kerkez, Associate Department Chair for Research and an Arthur F. Thurnau Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan
The 2025 NC WRRI Annual Conference plenary speakers have been announced! These speakers, who will lead the opening sessions on both days of the conference, include scientists, researchers, and communicators working in water.
On Wednesday, March 19th, the first day of our annual conference will open with a panel titled “Managing Misinformation: Working in Communities and Building Trust.” Led by Rebecca Jones, WRRI’s own Director of Communications, the panel will also feature invited speakers Dr. Brian Southwell, Dr. Barbara Doll, and Stacey Feken. Panelists will share their experiences with communicating scientific knowledge to the public.
On Thursday, March 20th, the second day of the conference will open with a presentation from Branko Kerkez is the Associate Department Chair for Research and an Arthur F. Thurnau Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan. Titled “The Future is Now: Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Water Systems,” this presentation will focus on applying artificial intelligence to address real world problems, and will explore innovative ways to utilize tech in water through sensors, algorithms, and decision support tools.
Meet our speakers
Dr. Brian Southwell, Distinguished Fellow at RTI International
Dr. Barbara Doll, Water Protection and Restoration Specialist at NC Sea Grant & Associate Extension Professor & Extension Specialist in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at NC State
Stacey Feken, Policy and Engagement Manager at Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP)
Dr. Branko Kerkez, Associate Department Chair for Research and an Arthur F. Thurnau Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan
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