IISD names water experts Alfred Duda and Michael Paterson senior fellows

WINNIPEG—August 1, 2013—Dr. Alfred Duda, former senior advisor responsible for the International Waters focal area of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Dr. Michael Paterson, recently retired senior scientist at Canada's renowned Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in northwestern Ontario, have been appointed senior fellows by the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

"For many years, IISD has worked to find innovative solutions to protect freshwater resources, and we are delighted that both Al Duda and Mike Paterson—recognized for their leadership in linking science and policy—will join us at IISD," said IISD president Scott Vaughan.

Before joining GEF in Washington, Duda had a distinguished career in the United States Department of State as chief of diplomatic mission and director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the International Joint Commission under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the U.S., and was part of the World Bank team that coordinated development of the 1994 water resources management policy that still guides the bank's work in the field of water resources. Since retiring from the World Bank and GEF in 2012, Duda has undertaken contract work with environmental NGOs and within the United Nations system. His work in surface and groundwater systems and coastal waters has been published in many technical and scientific journals.

"Al Duda is recognized internationally for his leadership and innovation in the protection of freshwater resources around the world, including helping countries undertake rigorous scientific diagnostics of their freshwater resources, evaluate the impacts of multiple stressors including climate change, and put in place practical solutions to safeguard clean water," said Vaughan.

Paterson had been a research scientist for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at Winnipeg's Freshwater Institute since 1992, and is an adjunct professor for the University of Manitoba's department of entomology. He will assist IISD with its freshwater research and efforts to take over ELA from DFO.

"Michael Paterson's leadership in ELA research and operations will be invaluable to IISD as it continues its discussions with both Ontario and Ottawa towards the eventual management of the Experimental Lakes Area," said Vaughan.

Paterson is an authority on aquatic ecosystem ecology and human impacts on water quality. His areas of expertise include aquatic food webs, biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and contaminants, plankton ecology and impacts of hydroelectric development.

IISD's senior fellows are internationally recognized for their knowledge on the environment and development, and possess the experience to address high-priority themes in IISD's work. They assist in program development and implementation, as well as the generation and communication of knowledge about sustainable development.

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For more information please contact Nona Pelletier, IISD manager, public affairs at npelletier@iisd.ca or +1 204 958 7740 or mobile +1 204 962 1303.