Webinar 10/22

Who are the people studying toxic pollution on the Columbia and why does their research matter?  “Science Beneath the Surface: The Science and Stakes of Columbia River Pollution,” is your chance to learn about cutting edge research and ask questions to scientists who have devoted their careers to clean water and the people who rely on it. This free webinar features Dr. Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo and Dr. Diana Rohlman from Oregon State University, as well as Columbia Riverkeeper’s Science & Education Director, Lorri Epstein. Learn about the impacts of toxic pollution, new research in the Columbia River Basin, and what we can do to reduce toxics in the river.

• What: A 60-minute webinar on cutting-edge research on Columbia River pollution and why it matters.
• When: Wednesday, October, 22, 2025, from 12 – 1 p.m. PST. 
• How: RSVP today. We’ll send you a Zoom link and reminders. *Note: Even if you can’t attend live, sign up and we’ll send a video recording after the event.
• Cost: FREE!

The Columbia River carries a heavy burden. From industrial discharges to agricultural runoff and legacy waste sites, the river faces mounting toxic threats that affect fish, wildlife, and the health of river communities. This engaging webinar will highlight new research uncovering the scope and impacts of toxic pollution in the Columbia River and introduce you to some of the scientists doing this important work. Together, we’ll explore why this research matters and how we can take action to protect the Columbia River and the people who depend on it.

Webinar Speakers:

Lorri Epstein is the science & education director at Columbia Riverkeeper. She coordinates Columbia Riverkeeper’s Water Quality Monitoring program, Nichols Natural Area, and outreach and education engagement programs. Lorri is a biologist whose graduate research focused on juvenile salmon on a remote river on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Prior to joining Columbia Riverkeeper, Lorri worked on river restoration issues on the Klamath, Yakima, and Umpqua Rivers. She also taught outdoor education in the California Redwoods. 

Dr. Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo is an environmental health scientist specializing in environmental chemistry and toxicology. He is currently an assistant professor of water quality toxicology at Oregon State University, where he is driven by a commitment to safeguarding public health through innovative research on water quality. His work integrates advanced analytical chemistry and molecular biology to address the urgent global challenge of water contamination and its far-reaching health implications.  

Dr. Diana Rohlman is an associate professor (Sr. Research) at Oregon State University. Her research program studies how people understand environmental influences on health as a way of helping communities better frame and respond to environmental health hazards. Dr. Rohlman is the director of the Community Engagement Core at the Oregon State University Environmental Health Sciences Center. She also serves as co-lead of the Community Engagement Core at the OSU Superfund Research Program Center.

This webinar was developed under Assistance Agreement No. 02J83901-0 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has not been formally reviewed by EPA. The views expressed in this document are solely those of Columbia Riverkeeper and Oregon State University, and EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication.

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