Bio
Dr. Mark Meyers is a strategic scientist and technology leader with more than 30 years of experience bridging environmental science, data analytics, and organizational development. As an environmental scientist and project manager, he has conducted comprehensive investigations across diverse aquatic systems—including rivers, wetlands, estuaries, and coastal oceans—in the areas of water quality and eutrophication assessment, contaminated sediment remedial investigation, contaminant bioaccumulation, and marine ecosystem processes. He has led field and modeling studies under federal Clean Water Act, RCRA, and CERCLA programs for regulatory compliance and environmental restoration. In addition, he has published research on coupled physical-biological modeling frameworks, linking nutrient dynamics to benthic production, seagrass habitats, and suspension-feeding bivalves in estuarine systems. As a technology leader, Dr. Meyers has experience building and leading high-performing data science teams, designing enterprise-scale data systems, and developing data product strategies. He has championed and led applications development in support of environmental monitoring and decision support.
Relevant Experience
Data Management
Christina-Brandywine River Data Integration, Delaware — Managed compilation and integration of historical data sets for a focused feasibility study. Developed a centralized data platform with web-enabled GIS, spatial analysis tools, and public-facing portal supporting a multistakeholder remediation and restoration program.
Greenhouse Gas and Criteria Air Pollutant Inventory, Maryland — Supervised development of a data warehouse, calculation and reporting procedures, and a Microsoft® Power BI Dashboard that supports a comprehensive quadrennial evaluation of greenhouse gas (GHG) and criteria air pollutant (CAP) emissions from a large multimodal port facility. The system facilitated data analysis, visualization, and emissions reduction strategies.
NPDES Permit Data Management Services, Massachusetts — Managed the design and implementation of an NPDES permit data management service that consolidates field and laboratory data, performs load calculations and compliance assessments, and generates discharge monitoring reports (DMRs). Compliance status of monitoring locations is visualized through maps and trend plots via a secure, web-based dashboard.
Assessment of Data Management Strategy and Needs, California — Led an assessment of data management needs with a focus on efficient, shared access to data and visualizations for a large U.S. West Coast port. Coordinated with the port’s IT unit and environmental staff to centralize and improve data storage, develop a common data submittal format and standards for third-party data submittals, and maintain spatial data management in GIS. Authored documentation, including user tips for working with data and for use of Esri ArcGIS and Microsoft® Power BI for data manipulation and visualization.
Red-Tailed Hawk Survivability Assessment, Oregon — Managed the technical aspects of a statistical evaluation of a multiyear survey of red-tailed hawk mark-and-recapture survival involving relocations of individuals inhabiting areas adjacent to an international airport. The project required compiling and cleansing data sets, selecting appropriate statistical models, and using machine-learning algorithms that assessed the efficacy of relocation based on sex, age, and distance of relocation.
Hudson River PCB Monitoring Program, New York — In support of construction and remedial action, designed, operated, and managed comprehensive environmental data systems supporting remedial action and long-term monitoring. Developed an automated data validation, compliance assessment, and stakeholder portal. The system processes surface water, sediment, and fish tissue field and laboratory data with real-time assessments and regulatory reporting.
Grasse River Construction Monitoring System, New York — In support of remedial action, managed the development of multimedia automated data system combining EarthSoft EQuIS and custom components. Features included field data collection apps, web dashboards, automated EPA Stage 2A validation, real-time air quality monitoring, and a stakeholder notification system.
Data Science
Christina-Brandywine River Data Integration, Delaware — Managed compilation and integration of historical data sets for a focused feasibility study. Developed a centralized data platform with web-enabled GIS, spatial analysis tools, and public-facing portal supporting a multistakeholder remediation and restoration program.
Greenhouse Gas and Criteria Air Pollutant Inventory, Maryland — Supervised development of a data warehouse, calculation and reporting procedures, and a Microsoft® Power BI Dashboard that supports a comprehensive quadrennial evaluation of greenhouse gas (GHG) and criteria air pollutant (CAP) emissions from a large multimodal port facility. The system facilitated data analysis, visualization, and emissions reduction strategies.
NPDES Permit Data Management Services, Massachusetts — Managed the design and implementation of an NPDES permit data management service that consolidates field and laboratory data, performs load calculations and compliance assessments, and generates discharge monitoring reports (DMRs). Compliance status of monitoring locations is visualized through maps and trend plots via a secure, web-based dashboard.
Assessment of Data Management Strategy and Needs, California — Led an assessment of data management needs with a focus on efficient, shared access to data and visualizations for a large U.S. West Coast port. Coordinated with the port’s IT unit and environmental staff to centralize and improve data storage, develop a common data submittal format and standards for third-party data submittals, and maintain spatial data management in GIS. Authored documentation, including user tips for working with data and for use of Esri ArcGIS and Microsoft® Power BI for data manipulation and visualization.
Red-Tailed Hawk Survivability Assessment, Oregon — Managed the technical aspects of a statistical evaluation of a multiyear survey of red-tailed hawk mark-and-recapture survival involving relocations of individuals inhabiting areas adjacent to an international airport. The project required compiling and cleansing data sets, selecting appropriate statistical models, and using machine-learning algorithms that assessed the efficacy of relocation based on sex, age, and distance of relocation.
Remedial Design and Construction
Hudson River PCB Monitoring Program, New York — In support of construction and remedial action, designed, operated, and managed comprehensive environmental data systems supporting remedial action and long-term monitoring. Developed an automated data validation, compliance assessment, and stakeholder portal. The system processes surface water, sediment, and fish tissue field and laboratory data with real-time assessments and regulatory reporting.
Grasse River Construction Monitoring System, New York — In support of remedial action, managed the development of multimedia automated data system combining EarthSoft EQuIS and custom components. Features included field data collection apps, web dashboards, automated EPA Stage 2A validation, real-time air quality monitoring, and a stakeholder notification system.
Contaminated Sediments
Remedial Investigation at Large East Coast Petrochemical Complex, New Jersey — Managed a field investigation for determining the presence and extent of nonaqueous-phase petroleum product in sediments and potential migration pathways and impacts to biota at a large petrochemical site overseen by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Used a closely-spaced, laser-induced fluorescence survey to create a 3-dimensional visualization of petroleum product within creek sediments.
Source Allocation of PCBs in the Little Mississinewa River, Indiana — Provided scientific litigation support for a PCB source allocation dispute at a Little Mississinewa River CERCLA site. Assessed multiple lines of evidence for historical sources and the fate and transport of PCBs and other contaminants through former industrial sites and stormwater conveyances to the adjacent river to support a negotiated settlement favorable to the client. Prepared an expert report, a rebuttal report, and exhibits for expert witness deposition and binding arbitration.
Evaluation of PCBs in the Coosa River Basin, Georgia — Evaluated PCB contamination in sediments, surface water, rainwater, and fish tissue in the context of a PCB total maximum daily load (TMDL) developed by the State of Georgia. Analyzed data sets collected by state agencies and EPA. Designed and implemented field sampling programs for the low-level detection of PCB congeners in precipitation and in headwater streams by advanced methods to assess regional background, potential sources, and the fate of PCBs in the watershed. Provided written comments on the draft TMDL.
Remedial Investigation
Remedial Investigation at Large East Coast Petrochemical Complex, New Jersey — Managed a field investigation for determining the presence and extent of nonaqueous-phase petroleum product in sediments and potential migration pathways and impacts to biota at a large petrochemical site overseen by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Used a closely-spaced, laser-induced fluorescence survey to create a 3-dimensional visualization of petroleum product within creek sediments.
Source Allocation of PCBs in the Little Mississinewa River, Indiana — Provided scientific litigation support for a PCB source allocation dispute at a Little Mississinewa River CERCLA site. Assessed multiple lines of evidence for historical sources and the fate and transport of PCBs and other contaminants through former industrial sites and stormwater conveyances to the adjacent river to support a negotiated settlement favorable to the client. Prepared an expert report, a rebuttal report, and exhibits for expert witness deposition and binding arbitration.
Evaluation of PCBs in the Coosa River Basin, Georgia — Evaluated PCB contamination in sediments, surface water, rainwater, and fish tissue in the context of a PCB total maximum daily load (TMDL) developed by the State of Georgia. Analyzed data sets collected by state agencies and EPA. Designed and implemented field sampling programs for the low-level detection of PCB congeners in precipitation and in headwater streams by advanced methods to assess regional background, potential sources, and the fate of PCBs in the watershed. Provided written comments on the draft TMDL.
Water Quality Monitoring
Sand Mining Effluent Toxicity Study, New Jersey — Managed a study of toxicity in process water effluent from a sand mining operation as conducted under New Jersey Surface Water Quality and Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations. Evaluated contemporary and historical data, influent stream and ambient water quality conditions, the application of biotic ligand modeling for metals toxicity, and bench-scale toxicity concerning potential effluent treatments. Site characteristics of the source water and effluent water that impacted toxicity included exceptionally low hardness, low pH, and low dissolved organic carbon, all of which enhance metals toxicity, even at low metals concentrations. Determined that a small, cost-effective amendment to increase effluent hardness within ambient levels mitigated potential toxicity, a determination that was accepted by the regulator.
Pompton Lake and Ramapo River TMDL Support Study, New Jersey — Managed data analysis, watershed GIS development, and loading estimates of total phosphorus in a river and lake system. Water quality and quantity analyses focused on the response of the lake to nonpoint source phosphorus loads. Designed a lake water quality field sampling program. The study supported lake and river restoration strategies, including the implementation of a TMDL allocation for phosphorus.
Benthos-Sediment Diagenesis Sub-Model for the Chesapeake Bay Implementation of CE-QUAL-ICM, Maryland and Virginia — In support of EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, enhanced a sediment diagenesis-nutrient flux model by developing and implementing dynamic suspension feeding and deposit feeding infauna components. Assisted and advised the client in the calibration of the coupled, 3-dimensional hydrodynamic-water quality model. Evaluated long-term monitoring data sets and analyzed model responses for couplings between 1) algal primary production and benthic secondary production, 2) sediment oxygen demand and nutrient flux, and 3) the impacts of hypoxia and anoxia on estuarine benthos in management and scenario-based model simulations. Coauthored model documentation and two peer-reviewed publications.
Wetland Water Quality Model, Florida Everglades Nutrient Removal Project, Florida — The Everglades Nutrient Removal Project was a prototype constructed wetland designed to mitigate high-nutrient runoff from agricultural fields. This project extended the functionality of a state-of-the-science water quality model to include wetlands vegetation productivity and nutrient content. Developed simulations of natural and constructed wetlands systems to examine the fate and transformation of phosphorus. Assessed the impacts of phosphorus enrichment and altered hydroperiod on the productivity of and competition between marsh sawgrass and cattail. Performed calibration analysis of the coupled water quality-macrophyte model. Coauthored model reports, manuscripts for submission to journals, and client presentations. This model has been used to evaluate treatment and management strategies for the remediation and protection of the Florida Everglades.
Modeling
Sand Mining Effluent Toxicity Study, New Jersey — Managed a study of toxicity in process water effluent from a sand mining operation as conducted under New Jersey Surface Water Quality and Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations. Evaluated contemporary and historical data, influent stream and ambient water quality conditions, the application of biotic ligand modeling for metals toxicity, and bench-scale toxicity concerning potential effluent treatments. Site characteristics of the source water and effluent water that impacted toxicity included exceptionally low hardness, low pH, and low dissolved organic carbon, all of which enhance metals toxicity, even at low metals concentrations. Determined that a small, cost-effective amendment to increase effluent hardness within ambient levels mitigated potential toxicity, a determination that was accepted by the regulator.
Pompton Lake and Ramapo River TMDL Support Study, New Jersey — Managed data analysis, watershed GIS development, and loading estimates of total phosphorus in a river and lake system. Water quality and quantity analyses focused on the response of the lake to nonpoint source phosphorus loads. Designed a lake water quality field sampling program. The study supported lake and river restoration strategies, including the implementation of a TMDL allocation for phosphorus.
Benthos-Sediment Diagenesis Sub-Model for the Chesapeake Bay Implementation of CE-QUAL-ICM, Maryland and Virginia — In support of EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program, enhanced a sediment diagenesis-nutrient flux model by developing and implementing dynamic suspension feeding and deposit feeding infauna components. Assisted and advised the client in the calibration of the coupled, 3-dimensional hydrodynamic-water quality model. Evaluated long-term monitoring data sets and analyzed model responses for couplings between 1) algal primary production and benthic secondary production, 2) sediment oxygen demand and nutrient flux, and 3) the impacts of hypoxia and anoxia on estuarine benthos in management and scenario-based model simulations. Coauthored model documentation and two peer-reviewed publications.
Wetland Water Quality Model, Florida Everglades Nutrient Removal Project, Florida — The Everglades Nutrient Removal Project was a prototype constructed wetland designed to mitigate high-nutrient runoff from agricultural fields. This project extended the functionality of a state-of-the-science water quality model to include wetlands vegetation productivity and nutrient content. Developed simulations of natural and constructed wetlands systems to examine the fate and transformation of phosphorus. Assessed the impacts of phosphorus enrichment and altered hydroperiod on the productivity of and competition between marsh sawgrass and cattail. Performed calibration analysis of the coupled water quality-macrophyte model. Coauthored model reports, manuscripts for submission to journals, and client presentations. This model has been used to evaluate treatment and management strategies for the remediation and protection of the Florida Everglades.
Education & Credentials
Ph.D., Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida, 1993
M.S., Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 1985
B.S., Biology (Chemistry minor) with honors, Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1982