UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Decision-makers are increasingly turning to green infrastructure solutions for managing stormwater to minimize the effects of urbanization on water quality near cities. These solutions include retention basins, constructed wetlands and bioswales, which channel stormwater like sewer systems but use vegetation and soil to remove debris and pollutants from the water.

Lauren McPhillips, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Penn State, will provide insights into the effectiveness of green infrastructure solutions in New York and Pennsylvania during a talk at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 1.

The talk will take place in 112 Walker Building and be broadcast via Zoom.

McPhillips studies hydrology and biogeochemistry in the built environment, with a particular interest in green infrastructure and ecological engineering solutions. She has a bachelor's degree in science of earth systems and a master's degree and doctoral degree in biological and environmental engineering from Cornell University. Prior to joining Penn State, she was a postdoctoral fellow for the Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network based at Arizona State University, and she worked for the United States Geological Survey as a hydrologic technician.

McPhillips’ talk is part of the spring 2022 Coffee Hour seminar series hosted by Penn State’s Department of Geography.