CNR Meets with Jersey Water Works Collaborative

Center for Natural Resources recently connected with members of the Jersey Water Works Collaborative to discuss opportunities for partnerships on current and future projects.
Center for Natural Resources

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Center for Natural Resources (CNR) at NJIT met with members of the Jersey Water Works Collaborative, a joint effort by organizations and individuals who share the common purpose of transforming New Jersey’s water infrastructure.

Attendees included Jersey Water Works Collaborative Director Paula Figueroa-Vega, Rahway River Watershed Association President Kirk Barrett, Jersey City Green Infrastructure Specialist Dawn Giambalvo, and H2OCleanse Founder Heather A. Kollar.

CNR and Jersey Water Works Collaborative staff stand in front of the CNR logo Current Ph.D student Maria Nour Assi sharing more about CNR's research with meeting attendees

They toured CNR’s state-of-the-art facilities and learned more about ongoing research projects from our director, Dr. Michel Boufadel. The meeting also included presentations from postdoctoral researchers Dr. Meghana Parameswarappa Jayalakshmamma on microplastics in stormwater systems; Dr. Wen Ji on the fate and transport of pollutants in Green Infrastructure (GI); and Dr. Viravid (Gunn) Na Nagara on GI modeling.

Dr. Michel Boufadel showing members of the Jersey Water Collaborative some of CNR's facilities

Events like these showcase CNR’s commitment to cross-industry connections and pave the way for future collaborations that enhance water infrastructure and planning.