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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, has three experts available for media interviews in reflection of World Water Day — celebrated each year on March 22. This year’s theme is ‘valuing water’ which has become especially relevant amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. RTI’s experts can speak to the importance of ensuring global access to clean and sanitary water, the impact water is playing on climate change and the potential risk of lead poisoning in schools and childcare centers as COVID-19 shutdowns are lifted.
Dennis Mwanza, Ph.D., is a senior water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) advisor within RTI’s International Development Group and an expert in the global water and sanitation sector. He has over 25 years of experience managing water and sanitation reform programs and can speak to the importance of addressing urban sanitation worldwide. Dr. Mwanza can provide insight on obstacles local governments face to urban sanitation and institutional, policy and regulatory reforms needed to improve the global water and sanitation sector.
George Van Houtven, Ph.D., is a senior economist within RTI’s Center for Water Resources. He can speak to the importance of integrated water resource management, the value of water within the food-energy-water nexus, and the economic impacts the U.S. could face due in part to water’s role in climate change. Dr. Van Houtven can provide insight on nature-based solutions to protect water quality and green strategies to help prevent extreme flooding.
Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, is a senior environmental health scientist at RTI and the director of the Clean Water for Carolina Kids and Clean Water for US Kids programs. Her vision is to eliminate contaminants in drinking water where children learn, play, and live. With increased lead poisoning risk during COVID-19, Redmon’s award-winning program team can help improve access to quality drinking water in schools and child care centers nationwide.
To set up a media interview with one of RTI’s water experts, please email news@rti.org.
