2021 Decon Conference Agenda
The EPA International Decontamination Research and Development Conference was held virtually November 1-5, 2021. View the conference website.
Below is the full agenda for the virtual meeting. All times are Eastern Time Zone.
A booklet of all the presentation abstracts is available to view or download: Decon Conference Abstracts Book (pdf)
Monday, November 1 (Day 1)
Plenary Session
| Time | Session Title |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Welcome Anne Mikelonis, Erin Silvestri & Viktoriya Plotkin, Conference Organizing Chairs | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:05 AM | US EPA Office of Research and Development Introduction Wayne Cascio, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Science for the Office of Research and Development | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:10 AM | EPA's Role in Emergency Response and Homeland Security Janet McCabe, Deputy Administrator | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:20 AM | 12th EPA International Decontamination Research & Development Conference: Highlighting What's to Come Gregory Sayles, Director of the Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:30 AM | Plenary Talk 1 - Partnering for a Safer Tomorrow Nitin Natarajan, Deputy Director | Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch and Learn: Student Networking Session & Panel Discussion
|
Concurrent Session 1
| Time | Decision Support Session Moderators: Timothy Boe & Terra Haxton |
Biological Agent Decontamination Session Moderators: Sanjiv Shah & Anne Mikelonis |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 PM | An AI Algorithm to Locate Waterborne Chemical Attacks in Water Distribution Systems Ehsan Roshani | National Research Council of Canada |
ClearDecon: A Novel Surface Decontamination Solution for Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents Joseph Myers | Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center |
| 1:15 PM | Withdrawn | Dahlgren Decon Skin Soap, Development and Testing of a Safe Skin and Surface Decontamination Soap Corey Collings | First Line Technology Evan Durnal | MRIGlobal Tony Buhr |
| 1:30 PM | The Wide Area Decontamination Tool Emily Peraza | Battelle Memorial Institute |
Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis Spores on Surfaces with Ultraviolet Light Produced with a Low-Pressure Mercury Lamp or Light Emitting Diode Lamp Joseph Wood | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 1:45 PM | Clean or Replace? Decontamination Framework for Firefighting Equipment and Hangers Matthew Magnuson | US Environmental Protection Agency |
Outdoor Systems Trial Using Full-Scale Agricultural Equipment for Wide Area Decontamination of Bacillus anthracis Surrogate Spores Ehsan Gazi | Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, UK |
| 2:00 PM | Question & Answer Session | Question & Answer Session |
Poster Session
| Time | Session Title |
|---|---|
| 2:15 PM |
Join us in the Virtual Break Out Room to view posters, interact with poster presenters, and review posters as part of the student poster competition. View the full List of Posters. |
| 3:30 PM | Day 1 Adjourns |
Tuesday, November 2 (Day 2)
Plenary Session
| Time | Session Title |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Welcome & Introduction Christopher Frey, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Science Policy for the Office of Research and Development | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:05 AM | Plenary Talk 2 - Social Science in Disaster: Tactics, Innovations, Results Kim Fortun | University of California - Irvine |
Concurrent Session 2
| Time | Insights and Applications of Social Science to Decontamination Session Moderators: Keely Maxwell & Amy Rice |
COVID-19 Research Efforts Session Moderators: Worth Calfee & Viktoriya Plotkin |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 AM | Social Vulnerability and Resilience in Decontamination Research Kate McCarthy-Barnett & Dan McElhinney | Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency |
Development of Rapid Viability RT-PCR (RV-RT-PCR) Method for Detection of Infectious SARS-CoV-2 Sanjiv Shah | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:45 AM | Getting to Know Communities and Cultures for Remediation and Removal Actions Brittany Kiessling | US Environmental Protection Agency |
Environmental Surface Sampling for SARS-CoV-2 Christine Tomlinson | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 12:00 PM | Building Equity in Resilience Planning Emily Eisenhauer (Post Doc), Meredith Fry & Laura Stargel | US Environmental Protection Agency |
Evaluating Aerosol Treatment Methods for Reducing the Risk of Exposure to Airborne Pathogens Katherine Ratliff | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 12:15 PM | Water (De)contamination and the Cultural Construction of Risk in Urban Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities Christian Wells | University of South Florida |
Swab and Stick Sponge Sampling for SARS-CoV-2 Detection on Surfaces Sang Don Lee | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 12:30 PM | Question & Answer Session | Question & Answer Session |
| 1:00 PM | Virtual Lunch and Networking - Opportunity for COVID-19 Research Networking | |
Concurrent Session 3
| Time | Biological Agent Sampling & Analysis Methods Session Moderators: Sarah Taft & Joseph Wood |
Chemical Agent Sampling & Analysis Methods Session Moderators: Lukas Oudejans & Mallin Blaxall |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 PM | Human Safe, Near-Field Infection Protection (NIP) for Continuous Pathogen Inactivation in Air and On Surfaces Ernest R. Blatchley III | XCMR Inc |
Strippable Coatings for Collection of Surface-Borne Trace Chemicals Kevin Beltis | TIAX LLC |
| 2:15 PM | Evaluation of Outdoor Surface Sample Collection and Analysis Methods for USCG Assets Scott Nelson | Battelle Memorial Institute |
Development of Methods and Comparative Analysis of Opiates by UPLC-MSMS and GC-TOF James Garcia | CSS/US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 2:30 PM | Sampling of Waste Materials from a Bacillus anthracis Release Incident Scott Nelson | Battelle Memorial Institute |
Soldier Vulnerabilities to Toxic Industrial Chemicals/Materials While in MOPP Gear Philip Gidley | US Army Engineer Research and Development Center |
| 2:45 PM | Use of Innovative Packaging to Facilitate On-Site Treatment of Waste from a Bacillus anthracis Release Incident Paul Lemieux | US Environmental Protection Agency |
Benzene Contamination of Drinking Water Systems following Wildfires: Remediation Research and Decision Support Matthew Magnuson | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 3:00 PM | Question & Answer Session | Question & Answer Session |
| 3:15 PM | Day 2 Adjourns | |
Wednesday, November 3 (Day 3)
Plenary Session
| Time | Session Title |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Welcome & Introduction David Travers, Director of the Water Security Division in the Office of Water | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:05 AM | Plenary Talk 3 - Water Sector Risk & Resilience: Successes and Challenges Kevin Morley | American Water Works Association |
Concurrent Session 4
| Time | Water Research and Oil Spill Response Session Moderators: Jeff Szabo & James Goodrich |
COVID-19 Decontamination Research Efforts Session Moderators: John Archer & Lahne Mattas-Curry |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 AM | Advances in Underwater Oil Plume Detection Capabilities Robyn Conmy | US Environmental Protection Agency |
Disinfection Efficacy Studies with HuCoV-229E, a Surrogate for SARS-CoV-2 Vipin Rastogi | US ARMY, Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center |
| 11:45 AM | Understanding Hazards of Petroleum and Spill Response Agents in Inland Spills Mace Barron | US Environmental Protection Agency |
Disinfection of N-95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators Leroy Mickelsen | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 12:00 PM | Differences in the Inactivation of Legionella pneumophila Serogroups Using UVC-LED Technology in Drinking Water Helen Buse | US Environmental Protection Agency Post Doc |
Mitigating Transmission by Maximizing Decontamination Resources in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: One Healthcare Coalition’s Strategic Response Frances Grinstead | CURIS System, LLC |
| 12:15 PM | AMI for Detecting and Responding to Backflow and Tampering in a Water System Nelson Mix | US Public Health Service |
Decontamination of Covid-19 Vaccine Production Facility Emily Lorcheim | ClorDiSys Solutions, Inc |
| 12:30 PM | Question & Answer Session | Question & Answer Session |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch Break | |
Technology Cafe
| Time | Session Title |
|---|---|
| 2:00 PM |
Join us to view demonstrations and interact with presenters of technologies associated with waste management, decontamination, sampling, community resilience, and more. View the full list of Technology Cafe Demonstrations |
| 3:30 PM | Day 3 Adjourns |
Thursday, November 4 (Day 4)
Plenary Session
| Time | Session Title |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Welcome & Introduction Bruce Rodan, Associate Director for Science for the Office of Research and Development | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:05 AM | Plenary Talk 4 - Disaster Predictions in Support of Response Preparedness in the Coastal Zone Rick Luettich | University of North Carolina |
Concurrent Session 5
| Time | Chemical Agent Decontamination Research Session Moderators: Stuart Willison & Matthew Magnuson |
Waste Management Session Moderators: Emily Snyder & Timothy Boe |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 AM | The Assessment and Decontamination of an Opioid Contaminated Site and Establishment of California’s Standards Michael Polkabla | BioMax Environmental, Inc. |
Identifying and Improving Disaster Waste & Debris Management Decisions Marissa Matsler | Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Research Participant with US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:45 AM | The Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents from Skin Using Zirconium Hydroxide Shawn Stevenson | Combat Capabilities Development Command, Chemical Biological Center |
Evaluation of Whole-Carcass Composting as a Disposal Option for African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV)-Infected Swine Lindsay Gabbert | Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology |
| 12:00 PM | Model Simulations of Contaminant Dispersion through an Irregular Building Array Michael Pirhalla | US Environmental Protection Agency |
Bio-Inspired Engineering for Sustainable Remediation of Hazardous Waste Rouzbeh Tehrani | Temple University |
| 12:15 PM | In Vivo Efficacy of Rapid Skin Decontamination Protocols using the Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL) Kit Against VX Vivian Lau | Defence Research and Development Canada |
Assessment of Biosecurity of Using Horizontal Grinders to Enhance Composting to Improve Preparedness for African Swine Fever Virus Preston Burnette | Jacobs Technology, Inc. |
| 12:30 PM | Question & Answer Session | Question & Answer Session |
| 12:45 PM | Lunch Break and Virtual Session (by Invitation Only: Identifying New Opportunities to Create a Resilient Drinking Water and Wastewater Sector) Moderator: Marissa Lynch | US Environmental Protection Agency |
|
Concurrent Session 6
| Time | Biological Agent Decontamination Session Moderators: Mike Pirhalla & Erin Silvestri |
Radiological Research Studies Session Moderators: Lance Brooks & Charlena Bowling |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 PM | Decontamination of a U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Contaminated with Bacillus Spores Shannon Serre | US Environmental Protection Agency |
Laboratory Study on the Efficacy of Air Phase Decontamination of Radioactive Particles Jose Mattei-Sosa | US Army, Engineer Research and Development Center |
| 2:15 PM | Efficacy of Household Disinfectants and Detergent-Based Cleaning Methods Against Coronaviruses Rachael Hardison | Battelle Memorial Institute |
Decision Tool to Support Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics in a Radiological Mitigation and Recovery Event Michael Kaminski | Argonne National Laboratory |
| 2:30 PM | Environmental Influences on the Resuspension of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki Spores Jonathan Thornburg | RTI International |
Re-aerosolization of dense metal oxide simulating radiological contamination from military clothing Jeremy Slagley | Air Force Institute of Technology |
| 2:45 PM | Novel Technology to Reduce Risk of Viral Transmission in Enclosed Occupied Environments and Room Disinfection in Unoccupied Spaces Dan Lorch | METSS Corporation |
10 Years of Remediation Efforts in Fukushima Sang Don Lee | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 3:00 PM | Question & Answer Session | Question & Answer Session |
| 3:15 PM | Day 4 Adjourns | |
Friday, November 5 (Day 5)
Plenary Session
| Time | Session Title |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Welcome & Introduction Kathleen Salyer, Director of the Office of Emergency Management in the Office of Land and Emergency Management | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:05 AM | Plenary Talk 5 - CDC COVID-19 Response: Grand Princess LCDR Elizabeth Wittry | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Concurrent Session 7
| Time | COVID-19 Transportation Research Efforts Session Moderators: Shawn Ryan & Viktoriya Plotkin |
Hazard Response Session Moderators: Erin Silvestri & Amelia McCall |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 AM | LA Metro’s Journey Through COVID – Exploring Technologies & Finding Practical Solutions Bob Spadafora | LA Metro Rail Fleet Services |
Hazardous and Contaminated Sites within Salt Marsh Migration Corridors in Rhode Island Erin Burman | Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Research Participant with US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 11:45 AM | EPA Research to Support Reducing Environmental Transmission of COVID-19 Shawn Ryan, Kristen Willis & Worth Calfee | US Environmental Protection Agency |
Environmental Justice, Climate Catastrophe, and the Newark Water Crises Melinda Gonzalez | Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice, Rutgers University |
| 12:00 PM | Stabilization/Containment of RDD/IND Particle Contamination to Enhance First Responder, Early Phase Worker, and Public Safety Ryan James | Battelle Memorial Institute |
|
| 12:15 PM | Repurposing Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) 3D Game Engines to Improve the Effectiveness and Efficiency of EPA's Response Efforts Timothy Boe | US Environmental Protection Agency |
|
| 12:30 PM | Question & Answer Session | Question & Answer Session |
| 12:45 PM | Lunch Break | |
Student Poster Award Ceremony & Closing
| Time | Session Title |
|---|---|
| 1:30 PM | Join us as we announce the winners of the student poster competition! |
| 2:00 PM | Closing Remarks Shawn Ryan, National Program Director for Homeland Security Research | US Environmental Protection Agency |
| 2:15 PM | Conference Adjourns |