FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2002:

University of Central Florida Professor Elected to Board of
Environmental Research and Education Foundation

Washington, D.C. - Debra R. Reinhart, Ph.D., P.E., was elected in February 2002 to the board of directors of the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) headquartered in Washington, D.C.  Her election to the EREF board is for a three-year term.

Dr. Reinhart has been Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Central Florida (Orlando, Fla.) since August 2000, focusing on teaching and research in the subsurface contaminant and solid waste areas.  Since August 1996, she has been Associate Dean for Research for the University's College of Engineering.  Other positions at the University of Central Florida have included Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering (Aug. 1994-Aug. 1996) and Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering (Aug. 1989-Aug. 1994).  Dr. Reinhart's previous experience focused on wastewater treatment and training programs, serving as Process Engineer, CH2M Hill, Atlanta, Ga. (Sept. 1984-May 1986); Chief, Research and Development Division, Bureau of Pollution Control, City of Atlanta, Ga. (May 1979-Sept. 1984); and Civil Engineer, Keck and Wood, Inc., Atlanta, Ga. (Aug. 1976-May 1979).

Dr. Reinhart received her B.S. in Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, from Florida Technological University, Orlando, Fla. (June 1976), and an M.S. in Sanitary Engineering (Dec. 1980) and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (Mar. 1989) from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga.  Her research interests lie in hazardous waste management, subsurface contaminant fate and transport, municipal solid waste characterization, landfill gas emissions, landfill bioreactor operation, composting, and leachate management.

The mission of the University of Central Florida is to deliver a comprehensive program of teaching, research, and service.  Its goals are to offer the best undergraduate education in the State of Florida, achieve national and international prominence in key programs of graduate study and research, provide an international focus to their curricula and research programs, grow more inclusive and diverse, and become a leading partnership university in America.

The Environmental Research and Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that funds the development of environmental solutions through research and education, focusing on the waste and recycling industries.  Its endowment provides the financial base for a sustainable series of significant projects and scholarships (www.erefdn.org).

Contact:    Anne M. Brauer, Director of Development and Communications
                    703.299.5139 or abrauer@erefdn.org