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³ÉÈ˶¶ÒôÆƽâ°æ is pleased to announce the appointment of Sherri (Sam) Mason, Ph.D. as the inaugural director for Project NePTWNE.   â€¯ 

This pivotal role will be responsible for propelling Project NePTWNE from its initial stages into a fully sustainable operation across all six phases of the project. Mason will also oversee the educational programming and operational functions of ³ÉÈ˶¶ÒôÆƽâ°æ’s Great Lakes Research and Education Center and the ³ÉÈ˶¶ÒôÆƽâ°æ Greenhouse, in partnership with the Regional Science Consortium (RSC).  â€¯ 

Mason joins the ³ÉÈ˶¶ÒôÆƽâ°æ community from her role as the director of sustainability at Penn State Behrend. Her leadership extends to her role as an expert advisor for Save Our Seas 2.0, where she contributed to reporting on microfiber pollution. Mason has a robust academic background, including positions as a chair of the Department of Geology & Environmental Sciences at SUNY-Fredonia, where her research group was among the first to study the prevalence and impact of plastic pollution within freshwater ecosystems, and adjunct professorships at the University of Waterloo and the University of Minnesota. She is renowned for her research and publications on microplastic pollution, which has influenced both policy and public awareness, earning her prestigious awards for her groundbreaking research.   â€¯ 

“I am eager for the opportunity to lead Project NePTWNE,” said Mason, “I believe in ³ÉÈ˶¶ÒôÆƽâ°æ’s holistic approach to stewardship for Lake Erie addressing water quality, climate change, economic development, and quality of life. ³ÉÈ˶¶ÒôÆƽâ°æ recognized the urgency of the issues that face the health of our ecosystem, and a strong foundation was put in place in a short period of time. Project NePTWNE will have an immediate impact on the region while facilitating positive change that will resonate well into the future.”  â€¯ 

“³ÉÈ˶¶ÒôÆƽâ°æ is excited to welcome a visionary leader who will drive Project NePTWNE forward, ensuring its success and lasting impact on the community and beyond,” said Sarah Ewing, Ph.D., provost and vice president of student experience. “Dr. Mason’s extensive experience in sustainability, environmental sciences and her leadership and dedication to environmental stewardship will be instrumental in advancing Project NePTWNE’s mission and inspiring both our university community and our external partners."  â€¯ 

"We are thrilled to add to the high caliber leadership at ³ÉÈ˶¶ÒôÆƽâ°æ," said President Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D. "Dr. Mason brings a wealth of experience, creativity and dedication to environmental sustainability. We are confident that her innovative approach and collaborative spirit will significantly advance our mission to educate and engage our students, faculty and the broader community in meaningful and impactful ways."  â€¯ 

Mason earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and completed her doctorate in chemistry at the University of Montana as a NASA Earth System Science scholar.   

For more information on Project NePTWNE, visit ³ÉÈ˶¶ÒôÆƽâ°æ.edu/water.