EcoComplex Staff
Mark Gregory Robson, BS, MS, PhD, MPH, ATS; Faculty Member In Charge Dr. Mark Gregory Robson is the Dean of Agricultural and Urban Programs and Professor of Entomology at Rutgers University and Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health at the UMDNJ – School of Public Health. Dr. Robson’s research focus is on exposures to pesticides, including children, residential, and agricultural exposures. He is the PI and Director of the NIH-Fogarty Thai ITREOH Center in Bangkok, Thailand. He is also the PI on a Robert Wood Johnson Environmental Health Nursing Project working in Aceh Indonesia and Hat Yai Thailand. In 2003 he was appointed by the Governor as Chair of the New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute. Dr. Robson is the author of 65 scientific peer-reviewed articles; Dr. Robson and Dr. William Toscano are the editors of the textbook Environmental Health Risk Assessment for Public Health (Jossey Bass 2007). Dr. Robson was named a Fulbright Senior Specialist for Thailand in 2005. Dr. Robson has won numerous awards including UMDNJ Master Educator 2001 and UMDNJ Excellence Award for Teaching 2002. He was elected a Fellow in the Academy of Toxicological Sciences in 2002; he was named to the ASPH/Pfizer Public Health Academy of Distinguished Teachers 2007. (To view full CV please click here) tel: (732)932-1000 x506 |
David Specca, Assistant Director for Bioenergy Technologies & Controlled Environment Ag Dave started at the EcoComplex as the Director of Developmental Programs in 1995. He has focused his research and business development efforts in areas including; hydroponics, aquaponics, landfill gas cleanup and utilization, solid waste management and renewable energy technologies including fuel grade ethanol from corn. He is currently serving as the Acting Director of the EcoComplex. Dave obtained his BS in Horticulture from Cook College , Rutgers University in 1982 and is working towards a PhD in Plant Science. His background is in research and production agriculture. From growing up on his family's 250 acre vegetable farm in New Jersey to being the East Coast Production manager for DNA Plant Technology, an ag biotech firm developing value added produce, Dave has had broad exposure to agricultural and environmental issues. tel: (609)499-3600 x226 |
Laurie Magee, Program Coordinator Laurie is your primary point of contact for information about the EcoComplex and it’s many activities. She can answer all room rental and general information requests. Her responsibilities include; managing the Conference Center functions, administration of the Business Incubator Program, EcoComplex office administration, purchasing and budget reporting, scheduling of Environmental Education tours, and tracking of program data and marketing. When on site, Laurie is your go-to person for any assistance you may need. tel: (609)499-3600 x221 |
Mark Galgano, Business Development Specialist Mark is a licensed Chemical Engineer who comes to us with tel: (609) 499-3600 |
Regina Plaire, Business Specialist Regina Plaire is a business specialist with 20 years of experience in financial management, budget administration and information technology. Most recently, she was employed with New Jersey Institute of Technology. In that position, Regina was able to use her combined experience in Finance and Information Technology to perform grant receivable analysis, grant and information technology management. Prior to NJIT, Regina worked for many years with the U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit in Finance and Budget Administration. Regina is responsible for the management of financial and administrative activities at the Food Innovation Center. Regina received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Computer Information Systems from Bernard M. Baruch College. tel: (856)459-1125 x4515 |
Jonathan Lee, Facilities Maintenance Building & equipment upkeep, general repairs, and also final set up for scheduled events. Early riser that is here to greet you on the day of your event as early as you may need and available to assist you in getting off to a good start, and will remain available to you through out the day. tel: (609)499-3600 x242 |
GREENHOUSE STAFF |
Russ has been working in the EcoComplex Greenhouse almost since its inception and does anything and everything related to the greenhouse. Using his experience as a Sergeant in the Air Force, Russ keeps the greenhouse in tip-top shape. His responsibilities include greenhouse crop care, data collection, building maintenance, greenhouse tours (all the school kids love him), answering alarm calls (in the middle of the night), etc. etc. He does it all, and always with a smile on his face and a song in his voice. tel: (609) 499-2700 |
Logan works in conjunction with the Project leaders and Incubator companies at the Rutgers EcoComplex Greenhouse. He designs and conducts horticultural experiments relevant to improving yield and quality, and reducing production costs for the fixed-cluster tomato production system. He oversees the culture of various crops which includes; fertilizer application, irrigation scheduling and environmental control. Logan is responsible for making observations of the experiments, collecting data, and analyzing the results. Logan also monitors pests and diseases and recommends remedial measures for Rutgers projects as well as for the Incubator companies. tel: (732) 932-9711 x250 |
WATER TESTING LABORATORY STAFF |
Manisha V. Patel, Water Lab Manager Under Manisha’s direction, the Water Testing Laboratory is in the process of obtaining NJ DEP certification for chemical and biological testing parameters. She is responsible for conducting water sample analyses, generating reports, establishing standard operating procedures, budgeting, and identifying and collaborating in research programs. After graduating from Cook College in 2002, Manisha worked as a technician in an ecosystem ecology laboratory under the direction of Dr. Joan Ehrenfeld in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources at Rutgers University. She managed daily operations and served as a field and laboratory technician on multiple projects related to forest restoration and nutrient cycling. In 2007, she received her master’s degree from the Department of Plant Biology at the University of Vermont, where she studied the role of genetics and evolution in the spread of the invasive perennial grass Phalaris arundinacea. Manisha can also be found interacting with environmental practitioners and the general public at conferences, promoting the laboratory’s services related to water quality testing. tel: (609)499-3600 x254 |
