The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is pleased to announce that Michael T. Flynn, lead scientist for the Water Technology Development Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Center, will speak at a joint VIP luncheon organized by WEF and the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF). This first-time event connects WEF’s annual Midyear Meeting, Jan. 30-Feb. 2, with WERF’s 8th Annual Water Quality Research Forum, Jan. 29-30, at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Ill.

With more 24 years experience in the development of advanced life support system, astrobiology, and fundamental space biology, Flynn has authored more than ninety peer-reviewed publications and has had four papers selected by the Engineering Society For the Advancing Mobility of Land, Sea, Air, and Space International’s Transactions. He has also received two R&D 100 Awards, a Wright Brothers Medal, an Arch T. Calwell Merit Award, and 6 NASA Spotlight awards. Flynn earned a BS in mechanical engineering from San Francisco State University.

His luncheon presentation, “Water Innovations and Lessons Learned from Water Recycling in Space” will examine his experiences with water technology innovations, and consider their broader implications for the water sector.

“WEF is thrilled to be partnering with WERF for the first time to allow attendees from both our midyear meeting and their research forum to come together for this special luncheon to share ideas in the area of water innovation,” said WEF Deputy Executive Director Eileen O’Neill. “We’re honored to have an expert of Mr. Flynn’s caliber join us to share his experiences and insights to cutting-edge water technologies.”

From Jan. 30-Feb. 2, WEF volunteers will meet to develop programming for WEFTEC® 2013—the organization’s 86th annual technical exhibition and conference—that will be held October 5-9 at McCormick Place South in Chicago. Prior to that, participants of WERF’s 8th Annual Research Forum will be able to join leading researchers and industry experts for technical presentations, discussions, networking, and collaboration opportunities. Topics will include economic decision-making for wastewater collection and treatment, energy’s role in the economics of wastewater treatment, and managing the economic effects of wet weather. WERF’s forum will also feature an opening keynote presentation from well-known water strategist Ken Rubin, PhD., who will speak about the “Utility of the Future.”

Space for the VIP luncheon is limited and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis to attendees of the WEF and WERF meetings. For more information, please contact Deana Gissendanner at dgissendanner@wef.org<mailto:dgissendanner@wef.org>. Click here<http://www.werf.org/i/Get_Involved/Events1/Research_Forum/a/b/Events/ProgramAreaMeetings/Research_Forum.aspx?hkey=22416f32-4705-4f92-b9fd-5c02eac463c6> for more information about WERF’s Research Forum.

About WEF
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide. To learn more, visit www.wef.org<http://www.wef.org/>.

About WERF
The Water Environment Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed in 1989, is America’s leading independent scientific research organization dedicated to wastewater and stormwater issues. To learn more, visit www.werf.org<http://www.werf.org>.