Transforming Agricultural Waste By-products into Sustainable Stormwater Nutrient Management Solutions
Introduction
What We do?
This project focuses on addressing nutrient pollution in the Gulf of America watershed through innovative solutions that align with EPA’s Farmer to Farmer program goals. This project will 1) Transform discarded agricultural residues into nutrient-capturing filters using a novel spray adhesive technology and other advanced methods, 2) Conduct detailed lab-scale trials to optimize the filter’s efficiency in nutrient adsorption, 3) Perform field trials at farms to validate real-world applicability, and 4) Distribute findings through workshops and digital platforms to encourage adoption by farming communities and policymakers. This multi-institutional effort unites experts in engineering, materials science, and sustainable farming, ensuring practical and scalable solutions. The on-farm collaboration in Wisconsin and Alabama provides a unique opportunity to refine our solutions under diverse conditions. Outreach efforts are bolstered by partnerships with organizations which have extensive networks in farming communities. By repurposing agricultural byproducts for nutrient recovery, the project will improve water quality, promote sustainable farming practices, and enhance community resilience, directly supporting the Gulf of America Division strategic priorities.
Figure 1: Conceptual Illustration of Proposed Nutrient Management Strategies. This image depicts the project’s innovative nutrient-capturing solutions. 1) In the foreground, a farmer applies the novel spray adhesive based adsorbent directly onto Ag residues on-site, enhancing their nutrient adsorption capabilities. 2) In the background, a farmer is laying off-site processed modified Ag residues for runoff nutrient capture.
Should you have any questions, need additional information, or wish to be added to our project, please reach out to Dr. Venkiteshwaran (kvenkiteshwaran@southalabama.edu) or Dr. Wu (shenghuawu@southalabama.edu).
Project Team
Dr. Kaushik VenkiteshwaranProject Lead, PI
Dr. Venkiteshwaran is the Project Lead and Principal Investigator for this project. He is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of South Alabama. His research focuses on developing sustainable chemical and biological processes for water and wastewater treatment. He has extensive experience in designing novel bio-adsorbents for nutrient recovery and the removal of emerging contaminants, as well as modeling microbial interactions in both natural and engineered environments. His work further explores the relationship between microbial community structure and biological process performance, the development of specialized microbial cultures for bioenergy production, and the application of advanced oxidation processes to target organic contaminant destruction and pathogen disinfection. Prior to joining the University of South Alabama, Dr. Venkiteshwaran served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Marquette University.
Dr. Shenghua WuCo-PI
Dr. Wu serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Alabama (USA). He was Senior Sustainability Research Engineer at the Illinois Center for Transportation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Wu serves as the Director for the Interdisciplinary Center for Sustainable Engineering (ICSE), Director for the Gulf Coast Environmental Engagement Center (GCEEC), Director for the Solid Waste Sustainability Hub, Director for the Gulf Coast Center for Addressing Microplastics Pollution (GC-CAMP). He is the founding faculty advisor for the Society of Sustainable Engineering (SSE). Dr. Wu's research focuses on pavement materials characterization, transportation infrastructure, sustainability and resiliency, interdisciplinary approaches to emerging environmental issues, and education scholarship. He has secured over $11 million in funding from competitive federal research agencies, including the EPA, NOAA, NIST, and DOT. He has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, 11 technical reports, and has delivered over 80 presentations.
Dr. Bhushan LoharCo-PI
Dr. Lohar serves as an Assistant Professor in Systems Engineering at the University of South Alabama (USA). He is the founder of "Advanced Systems Research Laboratory" at USA. He earned his Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from the University of South Alabama and an M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Lohar is highly active in the professional systems engineering community, serving as the Vice-President of the INCOSE Blues Chapter and the faculty advisor for the INCOSE student chapter at USA. He possesses over 10 years of combined experience in the automobile and aerospace industries, where his work focused on systems engineering, research & development, project management, and quality management. Prior to his academic role, Dr. Lohar was a systems engineer at the Airbus Americas Engineering Center. His primary research interests include Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Model-Based Patterns, Space Systems Engineering, SysML modeling and simulation, Feature Modeling, and Product Line Engineering. Dr. Lohar has led research projects, including developing a model-based pattern library for the NASA Advanced Concepts Office (ACO) at Marshall Space Flight Center, a project funded by NASA and the Jacobs Space Exploration Group (JSEG).
Dr. Melike Dizbay-OnatCo-PI
Dr. Melike Dizbay-Onat is an Assistant Professor in the William B. Burnsed Jr. Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of South Alabama. She holds a multidisciplinary academic background spanning physics, electrical engineering, materials engineering, and environmental public health. Her research focuses on the development of sustainable adsorbent materials for critical water and air treatment applications, with an emphasis on recycling and circular material systems. She has extensive experience in the design, preparation, and characterization of adsorbent materials. Her work encompasses the study of recycling and sustainable material development, green composites, engineering education, and STEM outreach. She currently serves as the faculty advisor for the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) and Pi Tau Sigma (PTS) student chapters at the University of South Alabama. She is also a member of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society. Prior to joining the University of South Alabama, she served as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she conducted research in STEM education and community outreach.
Roger A. WrightCo-PI
Professor Wright is an expert in ceramics in University of South Alabama. For nearly three decades, Professor Wright has been deeply engaged with clay, exploring its expressive, functional, and sculptural possibilities. Early in his career, his work focused almost exclusively on the potter’s wheel, creating vessels that balanced utility with aesthetic refinement. While this traditional approach remains an important foundation of his studio practice, the past fifteen years have marked a deliberate shift away from the strict symmetry of wheel-thrown forms and the reliance on traditional high-fired glaze surfaces. Today, Professor Wright’s studio work spans a wide range of approaches, from subtle and whimsical interpretations of vessel forms to large- and small-scale figurative sculptures that employ diverse forming and surface techniques. His ongoing joy in experimentation stems in part from his role as the sole full-time ceramics professor in a small academic art program. Teaching all levels of students encourages him to engage with the full breadth of materials, processes, and conceptual contexts that clay affords. As he works to address the varied interests and creative needs of his students, Professor Wright continually finds new questions and directions emerging in his own artistic practice.
Shiqiang (Nick) ZouCo-PI
Dr. Nick Zou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University. Before joining MSU, he served as an Assistant Professor at Auburn University, completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University, and earned his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. He is an Early Career Research Fellow of the Gulf Research Program under the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and serves as an Associate Editor for the journal Desalination and Water Treatment. Dr. Zou is an environmental engineer specializing in applied electrochemistry, selective separation, and process engineering. He leads the Electrified WAstewater Treatment and Element Recovery (E-WATER) research group, which focuses on developing electrified engineering solutions to enhance water quality and enable resource recovery. In this EPA project, Dr. Zou contributes expertise in electrified selective separation, reversible nutrient capture, and cost-effective material functionalization. His role emphasizes the development and testing of electrified adsorption approaches for phosphorus removal, the evaluation of regeneration methods for spent or exhausted adsorption materials, and the assessment of system performance and scalability.
Michael A. PerezCo-PI
Research Interests
Large-Scale Testing
Erosion and Sediment Control
Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure
Stormwater Management
Construction Engineering and Management
Kyana YoungCo-PI
Dr. Kyana Young, Ph.D.Associate Professor at Wake Forest University.
Water quality, water treatment efficacy, and public health.
Eunkyoung ShimCo-PI
Dr. Eunkyoung Shim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science at North Carolina State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Fiber and Polymer Science from North Carolina State University, awarded in 2001. Prior to her current appointment, Dr. Shim spent 15 years with the Nonwovens Institute as a Research Assistant Professor and Research Associate, where she advanced both the scientific and technological understanding of nonwoven materials. Dr. Shim’s research focuses on nonwoven filtration media development, electrostatic charging technologies, and biopolymer-based processes for fiber and nonwoven applications. Her work also examines nonwoven process mechanisms, structure–property relationships, and the development of innovative fiber and nonwoven products. She has been recognized with the Frank Tiller Award (2025) for outstanding scientific and engineering contributions to fluid-particle separation technologies and the Goodnight Early Career Innovator Award (2022) for her excellence in research and innovation. In addition to her research, Dr. Shim has developed and taught graduate courses in polymer and fiber science, nonwoven processes and products, and filtration technologies. She is also dedicated to professional education, having delivered training to a broad audience of industry professionals and members of the global nonwovens and textile communities.
Collaborators and Partners
Kenneth "Dale" Speetjens CEO and PresidentShipshape AgWorks
Kenneth “Dale” Speetjens is a designer, veteran, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of environmental design, food systems, energy systems, sustainability, and regenerative infrastructure. A graduate of Auburn University with degrees in Environmental Design, Landscape Architecture, and Community Planning, Dale previously served on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Innovation Team and taught design studios in both Alabama and the Galápagos Islands. He is the founder and CEO of Shipshape AgWorks, where he leads the development of modular farms and agricultural systems to support local food resilience. His current work includes a statewide climate-smart agriculture initiative while his research is focused on food systems, blue urbanism, and geospatial design.
Shipshape AgWorks is an Alabama-based ag-tech company designing modular, high-efficiency farming systems to improve local food security. Founded by military veteran and designer Dale Speetjens and horticulturist Angela Speetjens, Shipshape builds advanced smart farms that can be deployed in existing buildings, or purpose-built facilities. The company integrates smart energy systems, vertical farming technology, and circular design principles to deliver fresh, nutrient-rich crops with minimal environmental impact. Backed by Techstars, Gener8tor, and Alabama Power, Shipshape has deployed urban and rural farms across the Southeast, developed projects with partners for the International Space Station, and is currently leading the design and R&D for the EARTH/Shipshape vertical farm in Sylacauga, Alabama. From space-based ag research to on-the-ground community farming, Shipshape is committed to scaling sustainable food systems—one modular farm at a time.
Margaret Livingston Morton serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE) and President of the East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub Foundation (EARTH). A lifelong educator, visionary leader, and community innovator, Mrs. Morton has devoted her career to creating systems of support that uplift families, advance educational opportunity, and drive rural innovation across Alabama. Under her leadership, SAFE and EARTH have grown into one of Alabama’s most impactful community-based organizations—recognized nationally for collaboration, innovation, and outcomes that transform lives. Mrs. Morton’s achievements have been celebrated through numerous honors, including the 2024 Inaugural Innovator of the Year Award from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, the University of Alabama College of Education Hall of Fame, and the Chief Justice Tom Parker and U.S. Trust Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also named Alabama’s Remarkable Woman of the Year by CBS Nexstar. In addition to her leadership roles, Mrs. Morton serves on multiple statewide boards and advisory councils focused on workforce development, early childhood education, and civic engagement—continuing to shape policy and partnerships that promote sustainability, equity, and opportunity across Alabama.
Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE)
Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE)
The Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE) is a nationally recognized Family Resource Center serving central Alabama since 1998. SAFE provides integrated supports that strengthen families and communities through education, workforce development, housing and emergency needs assistance, transportation, early intervention, afterschool and summer enrichment, and career readiness initiatives. Operating with a trauma-informed, strengths-based framework, SAFE empowers individuals and families to build stability and self-sufficiency. The organization has been recognized nationally as a six-time '100 Best Communities for Young People' designee and was honored as Alabama’s first Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award recipient. SAFE continues to serve as a state and national model for rural innovation and community resilience.
East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub (EARTH)
East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub (EARTH)
The East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub (EARTH) is an initiative of SAFE focused on advancing regenerative agriculture, sustainability, technology, and workforce training throughout rural Alabama. EARTH connects schools, farmers, and industry partners to develop next-generation pathways in agri-science, cybersecurity, and environmental stewardship. Through collaborative partnerships with educational institutions, including the University of South Alabama, EARTH integrates applied research with real-world innovation—helping rural communities thrive through sustainable practices and new economic opportunities.
Margaret LivingstonCEO,Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE) President,East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub Foundation (EARTH)
Tara Kent, M.Sc., CSE, PWSSenior Environmental Scientist and Partnering Farmer
Tara Kent is a senior environmental scientist with over 20 years of professional experience in varying fields of biology, agronomy, and environmental science including laboratories, nature centers, farms, and jungles. Graduating with a Master of Science Degree in Freshwater Ecology, she has spent the last 17 years working as an environmental consultant supporting local municipalities, state or federal entities, and private company clients with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. She is an experienced ecologist conducting work in dozens of states throughout the contiguous U.S with skills in botanical identification, habitat analysis, restoration/reclamation planning, remote ecological surveys, and groundwater and surface water collection. Additionally, she has experience preparing 404 permit packages and conducting stormwater inspections. She is focused on understanding ecological principles and the effects of both natural and anthropogenic disturbances on natural systems. She currently holds a Certified Senior Ecologist (CSE) certificate through the Ecological Society of America and Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) accreditation through the Society of Wetland Scientists.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Tara spent 20 years on the Front Range of Colorado before returning to the Driftless region of Wisconsin to manage her family's woodlots and farmlands. She has experience managing organic greenhouses and farms in three climate zones and has over a decade of experience as Permaculture Ecological Designer and Educator. Tara specializes in regenerative ecological design, employing nature-based solutions for ecological restoration projects for private landowners, ranging from small urban lots to larger 200-acre farms. She utilizes a process-based, multifaceted whole systems approach to designing resilient sites that result in net-positive impacts for local ecology and human health.
As a partnering farmer for the EPA Grant: Transforming Agricultural Waste By-products into Sustainable Stormwater Nutrient Management Solutions, Tara will assist in data collection at local farms within the Wisconsin River-Mississippi River watershed.
You can connect with Tara at Linkedin , United Ecology, and Boulder Permaculture.
As a native of Mobile, Alabama, Jennifer Denson has dedicated her career to public policy and nonprofit leadership, focusing on developing collaborative solutions to complex and often controversial issues. Since 2007, she has served as Executive Director of Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP). Under Jennifer’s leadership, PEP has grown to include more than 200 member companies representing sectors such as manufacturing, engineering, construction, and industrial services. She works closely with member companies and community partners to promote practical, science-based approaches to sustainability and responsible growth along the Gulf Coast.
Jennifer earned a B.A. in International Studies from Emory University and a M.A. in International Relations from The American University in Washington, D.C. She brings more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising, including 15 years in Washington, D.C., working for national public interest organizations. Her background spans government relations, grassroots advocacy, communications, and major donor development, and she has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and various national and local radio programs.
In addition to leading PEP, Jennifer represents the organization on numerous local and regional initiatives. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, the Natural Resources Committee of Mobile United, and the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization. She is also active in the Mobile Chamber, contributing to the Transportation Coalition and Government Affairs Committee.
Appointed by Mayor Sandy Stimpson in 2014, Jennifer continues to serve on the City of Mobile Planning Commission, where she holds the position of Secretary. A graduate of Leadership Mobile, she remains deeply engaged in community service through her role as a Sustainer in the Junior League of Mobile, her church, and her children’s school.
PEP is a coalition of business and education leaders committed to advancing science-based environmental practices that support both economic growth and environmental stewardship across the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Jennifer Denson, Executive Director Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP)
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