He has made significant scientific contributions that have solidified his position as a highly respected scientist in environmental studies.
YAKIMA, WA, June 06, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- George C. Onwumere has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Leveraging more than three decades of excellence in environmental monitoring, Dr. Onwumere has made significant scientific contributions that have solidified his position as a highly respected scientist in environmental studies with the Washington State Department of Ecology; and has earned distinction as an adjunct engineering professor for Heritage University. Since 2021, he has focused his efforts on teaching engineering applications to undergraduate students. Additionally, he has served as the Washington Management Service section manager of the Washington State Department of Ecology Central Regional Office Environmental Assessment Program since 2017. In this capacity, he is involved in all environmental monitoring efforts and oversees the staff in Eastern Washington.
Prior to his current role, Dr. Onwumere began his career as a research and teaching assistant for the University of British Columbia in 1990 and became a sessional instructor in 1992. Following this time, he served as a co-op researcher and contractor for the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways in 1994. In this role, Dr. Onwumere conducted practical and extremely useful research and developed an empirical statistical model for describing and forecasting highway stormwater runoff pollution. This proved very helpful to, and was well received by, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Highways. Dr. Onwumere's research findings are currently being incorporated into the Highway Design Manual for the Province of British Columbia. Afterward, he took a job as a water resources manager for the Quinault Indian Nation Environmental Protection Division of the Quinault Department of Natural Resources in 1997. He subsequently served as a senior environmental specialist and project manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology Freshwater Monitoring Unit in 2001 and was the acting unit manager in 2004.
Dr. Onwumere continued his career with the Washington State Department of Ecology Freshwater Monitoring Unit as a natural resource scientist and project manager in 2005 and was promoted to the Washington Management Service unit manager in 2006. He then served as the unit manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology's Watershed Health and Effectiveness Monitoring Unit in 2015.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Onwumere established the Quinault Indian Nation's (QIN) water quality management program to determine how the water quality impacted their fishery, logging and recreation industries. Dr. Onwumere's research for the QIN was crucial in setting up monitoring designs, developing a water quality database, and evaluating the water quality information to determine compliance to the federal Clean Water Act. He developed a Nonpoint Source Pollution Assessment and Management Plan for the tribe that involved an interdisciplinary effort, often involving collaboration among Fisheries Biologists, Environmental Scientists, Foresters, and Engineers to solve water quality problems. This U.S Environmental Protection Agency-approved Non-Point Source Assessment and Management Plan document is currently being implemented on the Quinault Indian Reservation. He also developed the Washington State Department of Ecology's water quality improvement effectiveness monitoring system to help improve their Total Maximum Daily Load program. His work involved developing scientifically defensible approaches to assessing the uncertainties associated with the margin of safety and the provisions for future growth in post TMDL Effectiveness evaluations. Additionally, he has authored and co-authored a wealth of articles on environmental monitoring published in various professional journals as well as the Washington State Department of Ecology's website.
Prior to embarking on his professional journey, Dr. Onwumere earned a diploma of technology in chemical engineering technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in 1982 and a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from the University of Alberta in 1988. Following these achievements, he obtained another Bachelor of Science in water resources and management from the University of Alberta in 1990 and a Master of Science in bio-resource engineering from the University of British Columbia in 1992. He subsequently gained a Doctor of Philosophy in civil engineering from the University of British Columbia in 2000.
Within the coming years, Dr. Onwumere intends to increase his involvement in the national/international arena, including involvement with the National Water Quality Monitoring Council, being a member of the Yakima Valley College STEM Advisory Board, and visiting Nigeria to mentor younger students. An accomplished professional passionate about the environment and committed to making a difference, he also plans to join the United Nations, where he feels he can significantly impact society.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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