Managing Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) has been a priority across the globe for years and the 2014 Toledo Water Crisis elevated this challenge to become one of the most pressing Great Lakes water quality concerns. Algaecides and physical control methods have long been the go-to methods for mitigating HABs, but the emergence of new solutions may revolutionize our approach. This panel discussion will engage industry experts and research leaders to explore the next generation of HAB mitigation technology.
“The State of HABs Mitigation” is a series of interactive panel discussions that engage cross-sector experts in an exploration of approaches to managing the causes and impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Topics in this free, virtual forum will range from emerging technology trends to the impacts of different management methods. Presented by Great Lakes Commission and Cleveland Water Alliance, this series aims to demystify HABs for the public and empower managers with knowledge about the next generation HAB mitigation tools.
Kendall Byrd is the CEO of Caddis Technologies and a Ph.D. candidate at The Ohio State University, specializing in autonomous systems, environmental monitoring, and cyanobacteria mitigation. His research spans microbiome analysis, UV-C disinfection technologies, and the integration of aerial and aquatic drones for environmental preservation.
Mr. Byrd holds a master’s degree in Environmental Science and a bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Mathematics and Chemistry. His work has contributed to innovative approaches for remote sensing and treatment of harmful algal blooms using unmanned systems.
He is a recipient of multiple innovation and commercialization awards, including the Ohio State Accelerator Award, TVSF Phase II grant, USEC Business Pitch Competition, and the OSU Concept to Contract Grant. Through Caddis, he leads the development of non-chemical, AI-integrated water treatment solutions designed to restore and protect freshwater ecosystems.
Dr. Fung is the Founding Scientist of EM Fluids Inc. (https://emfluids.com/). The solar-powered disruptive water technology of EM Fluids Inc. activates the natural microbial processes to restore the ecological balance of large water bodies suffering from eutrophication and organic wastes accumulation. Commercial deployments of the technology are taking place on six continents.
Dr. Fung is also the co-founder, Board Chair and CEO of the ACDEG Group of companies, a global technology integrator. He has founded, co-founded or restructured over twenty-five business ventures/corporations in North America, Europe and Asia. Dr. Fung is the co-inventor of fifty patents with more than twenty-five patent applications pending.
Dr. Fung was the Research Manager of one of the largest chemical companies in Canada and President of a proprietary process engineering contractor with five divisions on four continents, including eleven offices in Europe, and chemical plant installation projects on six continents.
Dr. Fung has also been a board member of more than thirty organizations.
E. J. Neafsey has 20 years of experience in water quality monitoring, analytics, and consulting. He completed his PhD at Cornell University, focusing in part on assessing infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics's usefulness to subaqueous soil survey. His research at the University of Virginia examined the linkages between hydrologic connectivity, water quality, and mangrove health in Southwest Florida. At LG Sonic US, he guides continuous improvement of its predictive analytics suite, transforms customer data into management recommendations, builds stakeholder coalitions, and advocates for environmentally sound water quality stewardship.
Dr. Ryan Sorichetti is a Great Lakes Ecologist and Research Scientist for the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks where he leads Great Lakes and tributary water quality studies. His work is focused on nearshore water quality and explores shoreline areas undergoing changes, or with impairments, in water quality.
Ryan completed his Ph.D. in 2014 at Western University in aquatic sciences with a focus on trace metals (iron) limitation on cyanobacterial growth in lakes and has continued research interest in biogeochemical nutrient cycling, algal physiology and taxonomy, lake physical processes and climate change science.
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