As Cleveland Water Alliance says goodbye to a pivotal member of its team, we want to take a moment to reflect on the significant contributions of Jeff Pu, who is embarking on a new chapter at the University of Minnesota Duluth. During his time at CWA, Jeff has been instrumental in advancing our programming, supporting technology deployments and infrastructure advancements, providing impactful data insights, and forging invaluable partnerships. 

Jeff joined CWA as a postdoc fellow, stepping directly from his PhD work into the dynamic, hands-on environment of water innovation. This transition was a notable shift for him.

Jeff shared, "I would never think in a million years after I graduated from my PhD, which is a huge kind of solitary experience, to now have a network that I can tap into and people who I have developed years of experience working with."

This ability to build and leverage relationships became a core aspect of his work and was one of the most rewarding parts of his time at CWA, shaping not only the projects he led but also the collaborations and partnerships that continue to drive impact in the water innovation space.

Driving Innovation and Data Insights

His expertise was instrumental in bringing CWA's ambitious vision for our Smart Lake Erie Watershed (SLEW) to life.

Ed Verhame, President at Freeboard Technology and key CWA partner, explained, "When this started out as a vision, as a theoretical dots on the map... he was able to really help implement, carry out, and actually see those dots turn from a planning dot to a real sensor and a real station and actually start managing this built infrastructure."

Jeff played a big role in advancing our SLEW, which now spans over 7,700 square miles and generates more than one million water quality data points annually. 

Beyond the technical deployments, Jeff was key in translating complex data into accessible and actionable insights. One of his proudest accomplishments was the Data Deep Dive series of blog posts he worked on which synthesized information from CWA’s extensive sensor network. These efforts, alongside numerous presentations across the Great Lakes region and nationwide, were a big accomplishment for him as he was able to share water data in ways that connected science to real-world challenges and solutions for water systems.

Jeff was also a critical part of CWA’s testbed deployments, from the initial selection of innovative technologies to their deployment and eventual connection with potential local partners. This hands-on involvement allowed him to stay at the forefront of water technology advancements while helping innovators test, refine, and strengthen their solutions for real-world application.

A Continued Journey of Impact

The impact of Jeff’s collaborative spirit was felt widely.

Ebie Holst, CWA’s Director of Clusters and Innovation, shared, “His hands-on approach and really kind of gentle style of providing insights and really thoughtful feedback has been an invaluable add to how we're able to support the market.”

As Jeff embarks on his next chapter, a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Minnesota, Duluth’s Large Lake Observatory, he carries with him the experience and insights gained during his time at CWA. He shared that the knowledge he developed, particularly around water quality monitoring and telecommunication technologies, will be extremely valuable as he steps into this new role. This opportunity will allow him to continue pursuing his passion for advanced research while blending modern technologies with traditional academic approaches.

Cleveland Water Alliance sincerely thanks Jeff for everything he has contributed to our team and programs. His commitment to innovation, talent for building strong connections, and passion for understanding our freshwater resources have made a lasting impact on both our organization and the Great Lakes community. We wish him all the best as he begins this exciting new chapter!

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