Dr. Anne J. Jefferson will join the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources as the Robert F. and Genevieve B. Patrick Endowed Chair in Watershed Science and Planning in January 2023. She will also serve as the Director of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant program. Previously, she was a professor at Kent State University, focusing on water resource sustainability and aquatic ecosystems within urban landscapes, stormwater management, and plastic pollution.
Dr. Jefferson is enthusiastic about collaborating with a diverse group of researchers to address environmental challenges. Her research has been supported by notable agencies, and she has taught various courses in environmental science. As the Lake Champlain Sea Grant director, she aims to enhance research and education related to lake ecosystems and community resilience. Dr. Jefferson holds a Ph.D. from Oregon State University and has a solid academic and leadership background, succeeding Dr. William “Breck” Bowden, the inaugural Patrick Chair.