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Christopher C. Obropta, Ph.D., P.E. is the Extension Specialist in Water Resources with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and he is a Professor with the Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers University. He has a doctorate in Civil Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, an M.S. in Civil Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Rutgers, Dr. Obropta was an environmental consultant for 12 years at Omni Environmental Corporation. Dr. Obropta has a background in watershed management, water quality modeling, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and coastal engineering. His specific experience includes watershed restoration, onsite wastewater treatment system design and management, wasteload allocations and TMDL studies, stormwater management, wetland design, effluent dilution analyses, longshore sediment transport, computer-aided design, and geographic information systems (GIS). He teaches Bioresource Engineering Design I & II, where he directs student design teams to develop solutions to complex real-life engineering problems. With his extensive and impressive background Dr. Obropta leads his highly specialized team of professional staff who are determined to create innovative solutions to water quality issues in New Jersey.
Room 232 & 105A, 848-932-5711, obropta@envsci.rutgers.edu
Lisa Galloway Evrard, Research Project Manager, has an extensive background in aquatic biology, water quality modeling and monitoring, statistical data analysis, and education. After graduating from Lehigh University with a B.A. in Biology and an M.S. in Ecology from Rutgers University, she worked as an environmental consultant for ten years. Her work as an environmental consultant focused on the development, implementation, and analysis of biological and physicochemical stream assessment and modeling studies, the development of site-specific water quality criteria and modification of permit limits, as well as the preparation of environmental assessments and environmental impact statements. Prior to joining the Water Resources Program in 2002, she was the Assistant Director of the Math & Science Learning Center and the Transfer Student Coordinator for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Transfer Student Office at Rutgers University for four years. She was instrumental in the implementation of science education outreach programs for students and teachers in grades K-12 at the Math & Science Learning Center. She was also instrumental in developing and providing academic support services for new transfer students to the University, especially those enrolled in math and/or science courses. Her role in the Water Resources Program is to develop and implement Extension water quality and outreach programs, among other watershed assessment and management programs, prepare, submit, manage, and implement federal, state, local, and foundation grants for the program, as well as manage the New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute.
Room 105, 848-932-6726, evrard@rutgers.edu
Chris Perez, LLA, Senior Program Coordinator Supervisor - Landscape Architect, graduated in 2014, with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University. He started at the Water Resources Program as an intern just prior to graduating. While interning, he applied technical skills to contribute to the planning and design of one of the first public green infrastructure projects in the City of Newark. As a full-time staff member, he provides conceptual and technical design input for green infrastructure and urban stormwater management projects across the state of New Jersey. He develops design documents including feasibility studies, conceptual renderings, and construction documents. As a member of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Chris provides technical and graphic expertise in support of community outreach and design workshops, in addition to green infrastructure feasibility assessment and project implementation.
Room 105, 848-932-6724, cperez@envsci.rutgers.edu
Hollie DiMuro, Project Coordinator I, graduated in May 2015 from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey with a B.S. in Environmental Planning and Design and a minor in Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behaviors. Hollie interned with the Water Resources Program from May 2014 to July 2015. During her internship, Hollie assisted with rain barrel workshops, participated in the construction and maintenance of rain gardens, and she assisted with the design of stormwater best management practices and green infrastructure practices for municipalities within the Raritan River Basin. In her role as a Program Associate, Hollie provides technical support to the Water Resources Program by organizing and coordinating municipal action teams to promote green stormwater infrastructure in New Jersey's urban and suburban communities. She also assists the Water Resources Program with grant management and project resource allocation.
Room 105, 848-932-6728, hollie.dimuro@rutgers.edu
Matthew Leconey, P.E., Project Manager - Engineer, graduated in May 2016 from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Bioenvironmental Engineering. Matt interned with the Water Resources Program from September 2014 to May 2016, assisting with impervious cover assessments and impervious cover reduction action plans for the Raritan River basin. Matt joined as a full-time staff member shortly after graduating to continue designing green infrastructure projects. Matt helps manage grant projects, coordinating with staff, student interns, and project partners to prepare project deliverables. He focuses on providing engineering expertise and technical design for green infrastructure practices across the state of New Jersey. His work includes preparing engineering designs, hydrologic engineering calculations, and cost and quantity estimates as well as reviewing work prepared by staff and interns. He also helps oversee construction of these designs to ensure they are constructed properly. While working full-time, Matt completed his master’s degree in Bioenvironmental Engineering with a thesis focusing on detailed hydrologic and hydraulic modeling with green infrastructure.
Room 105, 848-932-6716, matthew.leconey@rutgers.edu
Roy Messaros, Ph.D., P.E., CFM, PWS, Senior Research Project Manager, has 20 years of experience and a great passion for water resources, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, wetlands for water quality improvement, limnology, and all things relating to ecosystem resilience and coastal engineering. He has a doctorate in Civil/Coastal Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and an M.A. and B.S. in Biological Sciences from William Paterson University. His unique background and expertise across a variety of disciplines and services, both in engineering and science, allows him to bring a truly comprehensive approach to the Water Resources Program. His professional experience and expertise include hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, design, and construction for flood risk management, FEMA inundation mapping and certification, coastal storm surge protection, and wetland restoration/mitigation projects. Beneficial reuse of dredge material for tidal marsh restoration efforts has also been part of his wetland restoration experience. Other project experience includes design of erosion control measures, stream bank restoration, levee inspections, and modeling hydraulic structure failure modes. Prior to joining Rutgers in 2023, Dr. Messaros was employed at the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District, overseeing the implementation of many large-scale projects involving flood and coastal risk management; marsh and wetland restoration; beach erosion control; and feasibility studies. Dr. Messaros has extensive teaching experience serving as an adjunct professor at New York University Tandon School of Engineering and Stevens Institute of Technology, instructing both undergraduate and graduate level courses. He is particularly skilled at conveying complex ideas and concepts related to hydrology, watershed modeling, watershed resources engineering, and wetland design, among others. His applied experience at the USACE and teaching provides a useful combination of knowledge of complex, technical concepts and the ability to share it with others through guidance and mentorship.
Room 226, 848-932-5708, roy.messaros@rutgers.edu
Allison Nevulis, Research Project Coordinator I – Engineer, graduated in May 2023, from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering. Allison interned with the Water Resources Program from May 2023 to September 2023. She worked on various projects including reduction action plans and green infrastructure designs to enhance community climate resilience across New Jersey. Before joining the Water Resources Program, she worked in engineering consulting, performing site investigations and designing conceptual site plans and stormwater management systems. Allison is currently enrolled in the Rutgers Environmental Engineering master’s program as a part-time student as she works full-time for the Water Resources Program. Allison’s work focuses on preparing engineering designs, hydrology and hydraulic modeling, and construction oversight.
Room 105, 848-932-6747, allison.nevulis@rutgers.edu
**NEW HIRES FOR JUNE 2024**
Payal Khatri, Program Associate I - GIS, graduated in May 2024, from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and a certificate in Environmental Geomatics. Payal began as an intern in June 2023 and transitioned to a full-time staff member in June 2024, shortly after graduating. She is currently enrolled in the Rutgers University 4+1 Environmental Sciences master's program and working towards her academic and professional goals. As an intern, Payal worked on reduction action plans, rain garden designs, and rain garden plantings. Now Payal’s work focuses on conducting geographic mapping and calculations for stormwater management projects, assisting with impervious cover assessments, and green infrastructure concept designs.
Room 105, 848-932-6711, payal.khatri@rutgers.edu
Maya Chernick, Program Associate I - GIS, graduated in May 2023 from Rider University with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. Maya began working part-time as an environmental scientist for a Licensed Site Remediation Professional in September 2022, and took on the position full-time after graduating with her bachelor’s degree. Having worked as an environmental scientist for almost two years, she has experience with NJDEP compliance, including the preparation of Preliminary Assessment Reports, Site Investigation Reports, and Remedial Action Reports. Maya conducted a variety of environmental testing at her previous position, including soil sampling, mold investigations, drinking water testing, and various types of indoor air sampling. She gained certifications as an Asbestos Building Inspector and Radon Measurement Technician and was approved by the Department of Health to conduct Indoor Environmental Health Assessments. As an employee of the Water Resources Program, Maya’s work focuses on geographic information mapping and calculations for stormwater management projects, impervious cover assessments, and preliminary green infrastructure designs.
Room 105, 848-932-6727, maya.chernick@rutgers.edu
Benny Roe, Research Project Coordinator I - Engineer, graduated from Rutgers University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering. He interned with the Water Resources Program from June 2021 to May 2022. His work consisted of assisting with the design, construction, and maintenance of green infrastructure projects all over New Jersey. Before working at the Water Resources Program full time, Benny worked in consulting engineering. This experience included environmental sampling, air quality monitoring, and construction observation. He is enrolled in the Rutgers University Bioenvironmental Engineering master’s program as a part time student while working full time for the Water Resources Program. Benny’s work focuses on creating engineering designs, modeling hydraulic systems, and assisting with the coordination of green infrastructure projects.
Room 224, 848-932-5710, benny.roe@rutgers.edu
Gillian Mulvoy, Research Project Coordinator I - Engineer, graduated in May 2024 from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Art in Political Science. Prior to working for the Water Resources Program, Gillian interned with the Environmental Protection Agency in Enforcement and Compliance of Lead-Based Paint and Pesticides. Gillian is currently enrolled in the Rutgers University 4+1 Bioenvironmental Engineering master’s program. Her work focuses on helping NJ municipalities design and implement stormwater management projects through the MS4 permit.
Room 224, 848-932-5710, gillian.mulvoy@rutgers.edu
Alena Brayshaw, Research Project Coordinator I - Engineer, graduated in May 2024 from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering. Before joining the Water Resources Program, she worked at a wastewater treatment plant, assisting with the project management of ongoing engineering projects in the design and construction phase such as an anaerobic digestion project. Alena is currently enrolled in the Rutgers University Environmental Engineering master’s program as a part-time student and works full-time for the Water Resources Program. Her work focuses on designing and implementing stormwater management, helping municipalities in the state meet their MS4 permit requirements.
Room 222, 848-932-6719, alena.brayshaw@rutgers.edu
