NJ PFAS – PIC Board of Directors - NJ PFAS

Atam P. Dhawan is Chief Strategic Innovation Officer and Senior Vice Provost for Research at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). He is a tenured Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Executive Director of the Center for Translational Research, and Executive Director of Undergraduate Research and Innovation. He is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and NAI Innovation Ambassador, Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE), Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), and Fellow of the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE) and serves on the NAI Board of Directors, NJII Board of Directors, R&D Council of NJ Board of Directors, IEEE Trabsctaions on Biomedical Engineering Scientific Advisory Board, and the NIH Point-of-Care Research Network Advisory Board which he chaired from 2019-2025.

Dr. Dhawan is a recipient of numerous awards including Martin Epstein Award (1984), NIH FIRST Award (1988), Sigma-Xi Young Investigator Award (1992), IEEE EMBS Early Career Achievement Award (1995), Doermann Distinguished Lecture Award (1999), EMBS Distinguished Lecturer award (2012-2013), IEEE EMBS William J. Morlock Award in Excellence in Biomedical Technology (2021) and NJ Innovate 100 Leaders Award (2024). His research interests lie in medical imaging, medical image analysis, point-of-care technologies, and pattern recognition. Dr. Dhawan has received more than $86 million in research grants and contracts as Principal Investigator or Co-PI. He has published over 216 research papers and book chapters. He has also authored and co-authored several books in medical imaging, and image analysis. He holds several patents, some of which have been commercialized and being used for screening of skin-lesions for diagnosis of skin-cancers, and in the treatment of spider vein diseases.

Craig B. Arnold leads the Princeton University Office of Innovation and oversees the University’s efforts to grow Princeton’s culture of innovation across disciplines. The role aims to strengthen the University’s capacity to engage with entrepreneurs, alumni, industry, technology investors and other potential partners. The vice dean for innovation works closely with offices across campus and within the Office of the Dean for Research, including the Office of Technology Licensing, Corporate Engagement and Foundation Relations, and the Princeton Entrepreneurship Council. Arnold is Princeton's Susan Dod Brown Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He has served since 2015 as the director of the Princeton Institute of Materials. He leads a vibrant research program that ranges from basic science to applied technology aimed at developing a deeper understanding of materials synthesis and processing in areas including advanced manufacturing, energy storage and conversion, and optics and photonics.

Michael Zwick, Ph.D., is the Senior Vice President for Research at Rutgers University, where he leads the Office for Research. The Office for Research includes Research Administration, University-wide Core Services, Research Partnerships, Technology Transfer, New Ventures, and Finance and Administration teams. Dr. Zwick serves as Rutgers’s Institutional Official for the Human Subjects Protection Program and the Animal Care Program. Dr. Zwick earned a B.S. from Cornell University in Biological Sciences, specializing in Genetics and Development, and a Ph.D. in Population Biology from the Center for Population Biology at the University of California at Davis. A former Professor of Human Genetics at Emory University, his research uses genetics principles to discover the causes of rare and common disorders, with research experience as an individual investigator, a member of large consortiums, and a research leader. In addition to his experience as a human geneticist, Dr. Zwick’s collaborative, team-based approach also comes from his 25 years of military service as a former surface warfare qualified officer in the United States Navy (Commander, O-5).

Dr. Edmund "Ed" Synakowski serves as the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation at Stevens Institute . In this role, he serves as the university’s chief research officer and works toward developing research strategies, cultivating research partnerships and strengthening research and administration infrastructure to enable scaling of the Stevens research enterprise to substantially higher levels of intensity and impact. He is also a professor in the Physics Department. Previously, he served in similar roles at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the University of Wyoming. His university service builds on his federal experience; he served as associate director of science for fusion energy sciences in the U.S. Department of Energy from 2009-2016, where he was responsible for strategic planning, budget formulation and project construction oversight. In this capacity, he served on the governing board of the international project ITER, aimed at demonstrating the scientific feasibility of fusion energy. He was awarded the Secretary of Energy’s Meritorious Service Award in 2017.

Dr Siavash Isazadehis Senior Technical Director at Veolia North America, leading initiatives on PFAS, emerging pollutants, and advanced treatment optimization across water and wastewater systems. He earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from McGill University and completed postdoctoral research in Biological Engineering at MIT. He is also a professor in the Physics Department. Previously, he served in similar roles at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the University of Wyoming. His university service builds on his federal experience; he served as associate director of science for fusion energy sciences in the U.S. Department of Energy from 2009-2016, where he was responsible for strategic planning, budget formulation and project construction oversight. In this capacity, he served on the governing board of the international project ITER, aimed at demonstrating the scientific feasibility of fusion energy. He was awarded the Secretary of Energy’s Meritorious Service Award in 2017.

Dr. Paige Jacob earned her Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University after receiving a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Marist University. Dr. Jacob's dissertation focused on characterizing the occurrence and transformation of PFAS in semiconductor fab wastewater. After Cornell, she joined Intel as a Wastewater Technologist and developed analytical methods and assessed the treatability of PFAS and other contaminants of concern in fab wastewater. She then became the Program Manager of the PFAS Reduction and Innovation in Semiconductor Manufacturing (PRISM) program at Natcast, which focused on addressing analysis, sensing, abatement, and modeling challenges of PFAS in fab air and wastewater emissions. Currently, she is a PFAS Chemistry Program Manager at Battelle working to use Battelle’s unique analytical, consulting, and treatment solutions to solve PFAS challenges for the semiconductor industry.

Stewart Abrams is a Senior Consultant and former Principal at Langan Engineering, where he provides company-wide leadership in remediation and water treatment technology. brings nearly four decades of deep expertise in environmental engineering, remediation, and sustainable solutions, making him an invaluable asset to PFASolve Inc. With extensive experience in site remediation, groundwater treatment, industrial waste management, and innovative solutions for emerging contaminants, Abrams provides critical insight into navigating complex regulatory environments and technical challenges. His leadership at Langan Engineering and proven track record in successfully implementing large-scale environmental projects equip PFASolve Inc. to strategically address industry-specific PFAS remediation needs, optimize operational efficiency, and accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge environmental solutions.

Michael Willis, Current Position as National Market Leader at T&M Associates responsible for developing market strategy, branding and growth action plans to reflect T&M’s strategic goals, mission and vision. Develop and expand offerings with the Water Market; develop and retain exceptional technical and leaders within the Water Market and ensure QA/QC. Previous role as Department Manager at T&M Associates responsible for management of the Water Department in the Northeast across three offices locations in Toms River, Middletown and Bloomfield; New Jersey. Work scope includes the management and coordination of workloads and schedules across the state, Business and Client Development for water and wastewater clients including private utilities, utility authorities and municipal clients. The preparation of technical proposals for engineering services and the project management and design of water main installation, production well facilities improvement projects, sanitary sewer system studies, water storage tank improvements, water/sewer treatment improvements and booster/pump station upgrades. In addition, CCTR reports, PFAS Treatment Evaluation, Iron and Manganese Removal, Pilot Testing, Asset Management Plans and Water Source Evaluations.

Ken Gayer is Usalco’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors. Since taking the role in 2020, Ken and his leadership team have transformed Usalco into the company it is today. Prior to joining Usalco, Ken served as CEO of Gelest, a specialty silicones and silanes producer that was later sold to Mitsubishi Chemical Company. Before leading Gelest, Ken was Business President of Honeywell Specialty Products and had a 15-year tenure at Honeywell in a variety of leadership positions. In addition, Ken has held leadership roles at McKinsey & Company and the Polaroid Corporation.

Nicholas DeNichilo, PE, was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mott MacDonald, North America and is presently a retired professional engineer serving on various boards and professional associations. Nick officially retired as of January 1, 2022. He was responsible for the success and sustainability of the firm’s entire operation in North America. Mott MacDonald - North America is a $600 million business with 2500 employees and is part of Mott MacDonald’s $ 2 billion global operations with 16,000 employees. Nick served as a member of the Mott MacDonald Group Executive Board. He brings technical expertise, with 48 years of experience in the consulting field, an extensive network of relationships with key industry leaders and regulators.

An industry expert, Nick DeNichilo has authored and presented numerous technical papers, and hosted technical discussions at various industry events. He is past Chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Industry Leaders Council and is a past Chair of the New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). He is a member of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of ASCE. Mr. DeNichilo is also a member of the National Academy of Construction. He is a member of the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Board of Trustees and previously served as a member of NJIT’s Board of Overseers and past Chairman of the Newark College of Engineering Board of Visitors. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Innovation Institute. He previously served as a member of the University of Rutgers, New Jersey Climate Change Alliance. Mr. DeNichilo is also a Board member of the Villanova Career Compass Advisory Board. He is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Industry Board of Center for Buildings, Infrastructure and Public Space at Columbia University.

Nick has been honored to receive awards throughout his career, including ASCE’s Engineer of the Year Award in 1999. In 2003 New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association awarded Nick the George Warren Fuller Award for his distinguished professional volunteer service in the water field. In 2005, the NJIT Alumni Association presented Nick with the Association’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. In 2014, ASCE awarded Nick the Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Award, which recognizes and honors outstanding civil engineering leaders whose lifetime achievements and accomplishments have made significant differences in the field of engineering management. In 2015, ASCE awarded Nick the John I. Parcel – Leif J. Sverdrup Civil Engineering Management Award for becoming a widely respected national voice on behalf of safe engineering practices and the need for resilient infrastructure. In 2020 Nick was selected as an Honorary Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer (Hon.D.WRE) in the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers. In 2021, Nick was awarded the Newark College of Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award.

Nick received his BSCE from Newark College of Engineering and his MSCE from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Felipe S. Contreras is a licensed Professional Engineer (NJ, MA, PA and NY) and an Associate at CDM Smith with more than 25 years of experience in the water sector. He specializes in municipal water infrastructure projects with an emphasis on water quality, emerging contaminants, and aging infrastructure, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Mr. Contreras holds a Civil Engineering degree and a Master of Science in Hydraulic Resources from Universidad de Los Andes. Throughout his career, he has supported public water systems and municipal clients by providing technical leadership and project management for PFAS investigation, mitigation planning, and regulatory compliance initiatives. Currently, Mr. Contreras works closely with multidisciplinary teams to advance PFAS-related projects, integrating regulatory requirements, technical documentation, and stakeholder coordination to support informed decision-making and effective project delivery. Mr. Contreras is an active member of both the New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association (NJ AWWA) and the New Jersey Water Environment Association (NJ WEA), and he serves on the Water Efficiency Committee.

Charmi Chande is an accomplished entrepreneur and scientist with extensive experience in translating deep-tech innovations into impactful commercial solutions. With a proven track record in technology commercialization, successful grant writing, and raising non-dilutive capital, Dr. Chande combines strategic business acumen with deep scientific expertise in microfluidics and environmental remediation technologies. Her leadership has been instrumental in bridging academic research with industry applications, guiding multiple startups through NSF I-Corps programs, and building productive academic-industry collaborations. Dr. Chande’s visionary leadership, combined with her ability to secure strategic partnerships and drive innovation, uniquely positions PFASolve Inc. to rapidly scale its groundbreaking PFAS detection and remediation solutions and become a recognized leader in addressing one of the most critical environmental challenges of our time.

Richard Calbi serves as the Director of Ridgewood Water, one of New Jersey’s 25 largest water utilities, providing service to more than 61,000 customers across four municipalities. A licensed professional engineer and planner, Rich holds two degrees from NJIT and brings over 30 years of experience to the field. For the past decade, he has been instrumental in guiding Ridgewood Water, applying sound engineering practices to advance public policy and manage a complex groundwater system that delivers drinking water. He is a founding member of the Drinking Water Coalition of New Jersey and serves on several key organizations, including the NJ Drinking Water Quality Institute, Jersey Water Works, the NJAWWA Water Utility Council, and the AWWA Ion Exchange Standard Subcommittee. Under his leadership, Ridgewood Water has been recognized for its efforts on PFAS mitigation and water conservation, earning the distinction of being the first recipient of the NJDEP’s “Our Waters Worth It” award.

Paula Figueroa-Vega, Director, Jersey Water Works Collaborative and Organizational Development. Paula co-leads New Jersey Future’s Collective Impact program areas and advances New Jersey Future’s organizational development goals. Her primary responsibility is managing the Jersey Water Works collaborative and convening a diverse statewide network of people who are shifting the culture and thinking around one of the state’s water policy issues. Within the collaborative, Paula coordinates the Steering Committee, the PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Committee, and the water workforce initiatives. Paula serves on the board at The Watershed Institute and is a Lead NJ Alumni (Class of 2024). With over 20 years of experience in nonprofits and higher education, she has a strong track record of connecting people to resources, developing impactful programs, and facilitating collaborative work. In 2019, Paula cofounded MAPA Collaborative, a management consulting firm. Paula received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University. Paula lives with her husband, two daughters, and near her sister and mother; they are the cornerstone of her life.

Katrina Angarone serves as Chief Strategy Officer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. As Chief Strategy Officer, Kati advances key environmental and public health initiatives and is an adviser to the Commissioner. A veteran of the Department for more than 25 years, she is responsible for providing executive-level leadership and guidance for the implementation of priority policies and projects. She also oversees the Division of Science and Research and Office of Environmental and Public Health Analysis.

For nearly a decade, her work at the executive level has focused on the development of science-based and protective environmental policy informed by the communities the DEP serves. She coordinates strategic planning on cross-media issues, works to expand public access to environmental information, shepherds the Department’s science portfolio and cultivates important partnerships.

Kati most recently served as DEP’s Deputy Commissioner. In that role she was the principal adviser to the DEP Commissioner and second-in-command, with oversight of nearly 3,400 environmental professionals and an annual operational and grant-making budget of approximately $1 billion.

In addition, Kati previously held the position of Assistant Commissioner for Watershed and Land Management (WLM), overseeing the Division of Watershed Protection & Restoration, the Division of Land Resource Protection and the Division of Resilience, Engineering & Construction. As WLM’s leader, she focused on advancing watershed initiatives, including integration of New Jersey-specific climate change science into watershed policy. That post followed a term as Associate Commissioner for Science & Policy, where she managed science, environmental health and economic analysis programs, while developing policy protective of New Jersey’s environment and public health.

Earlier, Kati spent several years focused on water policy, including the adoption of new drinking water standards, which involved first-in-the-nation PFAS standards and water supply emergency response. More than half of her DEP career was spent assisting with the development of New Jersey’s state land use policies, including stormwater management, habitat protection, flood hazard area controls and protection of the Highlands region.

A passionate advocate of the environment, Kati is dedicated to DEP’s mission to protect the environment and public health in service to the people of New Jersey.

Judith Sheft is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission of Science, Innovation and Technology. The Commission's mission is to accelerate economic development in New Jersey through science, innovation and technology, including stimulating academic-industrial collaboration and encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs and inventors. Since 2020 the Commission has made 400 awards totaling $21.5M. Previously, Judith was involved with regional economic and cluster development, with responsibilities at the New Jersey Innovation Institute at New Jersey Institute of Technology for the HealthIT Connections entrepreneurial cluster development program, the NJIT I-Corps Site and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. She has been engaged with technology, IP innovation and commercialization efforts, working with faculty and students to create startup companies and establish licensing relationships with corporate partners. She advised external startups at NJIT’s high technology/life sciences business accelerator/incubator. She is on the board of advisors of the NJIT Murray Women’s Center and serves as a mentor and coach to students and faculty. She serves on the board of the Greater Newark Enterprises Corp., StartUp Newark, the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship Corporation, Einstein’s Alley, SheTek, R&D Council of NJ, and the NJ Big Data Alliance. She was a co-chair of Gov. Phil Murphy’s transition advisory committee for Technology Government and Innovation in 2017.

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