The Ohio River Basin Alliance Discussion Series is an opportunity for communities to share their knowledge and passion for the Ohio River. This seasonal series of webinars features topics in Water Quality, Ecosystem Restoration, Research, Education, Transportation, Flood Control, and Recreation. The Series was originally created by the Ohio River Way in 2020. Since 2021, the Series has been expanded to include additional ORBA partners, providing content and support. The series is hosted by ORSANCO and supported by the Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE), Ohio University Voinovich School, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, Thomas More University, and Youngstown State University.
Join us for March’s Ohio River Discussion Series Webinar
Student Voices – Focus on Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District student research
Wednesday, March 25 | Noon-1 pm
Student Voices – Focus on Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Student Research brings together three graduate researchers studying pressing water quality challenges in Ohio’s inland lakes. This webinar features student presentations on microplastic contamination in Tappan Lake Reservoir, sediment dynamics and the role of internal loading in algal bloom development, and the use of multi-platform remote sensing to characterize harmful algal blooms and invasive aquatic vegetation in Pleasant Hill Lake. Together, these presentations highlight the innovative research being conducted by the next generation of environmental scientists and engineers working to better understand and protect freshwater ecosystems across the Ohio River Basin.
Presenters:
Isabella Byrne is a second-year Master of Science in Environmental Studies student at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service. She graduated from Ohio University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Her research at the Voinovich School has focused on the occurrence of microplastics in the surface water of Tappan Lake Reservoir in Harrison County, Ohio. Over several months, she sampled multiple locations throughout the lake and found that microplastics are present throughout the surface water, with microfibers being the most dominant type. | Presentation: The Concentration of Microplastics Throughout the Surface Water of Tappan Lake Reservoir.
Shiva Basnet is a master’s student in Civil Engineering at Youngstown State University, working under the supervision of Dr. Suresh Sharma. His research focuses on water resources engineering, with an emphasis on integrating remote sensing, in-situ monitoring, and hydrodynamic modeling to assess water quality and sediment dynamics in inland lakes. For over a year, he has been conducting research on Tappan Lake, investigating turbidity patterns, sediment transport processes, and the role of internal loading in algal bloom development. | Presentation: Integrated Assessment of Turbidity and Sediment Dynamics in Tappan Lake to Detect the Role of Internal Loading for Algal Blooms Using Remote Sensing, In-situ Monitoring, and Modeling Approaches.
Michael Bourne is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Geology at Kent State University, working within the Earth Sciences department under the advisement of Dr. Joseph Ortiz. His research specializes in utilizing multi-platform remote sensing — integrating drone technology, Sentinel-2, and EnMAP satellite data — to monitor freshwater ecosystems, with a focus on the biogeochemical drivers of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and invasive submerged aquatic vegetation in Pleasant Hill Lake and the broader Muskingum Watershed. Michael holds an M.S. in Geology from Bowling Green State University and a B.S. in Geology from the University of Mount Union, and is a certified FAA drone pilot. | Presentation: Characterizing HABs and Invasive SAV in Pleasant Hill Lake, Ohio, using Multi-Platform Remote Sensing
Recordings of past Ohio River Discussion Series webinars
January 2026 – Funding the Future: Federal and State Investments Driving Watershed Recovery in the Ohio River Basin
March 2025 – Student Voices in Ohio River Basin Research
February 2025 – Trees and Water Connection
January 2025 – Environmental Education
March 2024 – Student Voices in Ohio River Basin Research
February 2024 – Nutrient Reduction Strategy Resources
January 2024 – Community Benefits of Ohio River Restoration
March 2023 – Student Voices in Ohio River Basin Research
February 2023 – Ohio River Restoration
January 2023 – Designing and Communicating Data
