2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Delaware Master Naturalist, Ashland Nature Center

Deb Vickery is a retired Research Biochemist who has had a lifelong interest in science and nature. She volunteered in classrooms as a scientist for many years, and after retirement, became certified as a Delaware Master Naturalist. In this role, Deb leads a team of volunteers who run the B

Delaware Master Naturalist, Ashland Nature Center

Deb Vickery is a retired Research Biochemist who has had a lifelong interest in science and nature. She volunteered in classrooms as a scientist for many years, and after retirement, became certified as a Delaware Master Naturalist. In this role, Deb leads a team of volunteers who run the Butterfly Habitat at Ashland Nature Center and she provides educational nature training for both youth and adults.

Public Education and Outreach Manager, Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research

Marie Maiura received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Neumann University and came to the University of Delaware where she worked on vaccine efficacy for poultry. After taking some time off to care for her 3 children, she obtained a Master's in Education at Wilmin

Public Education and Outreach Manager, Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research

Marie Maiura received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Neumann University and came to the University of Delaware where she worked on vaccine efficacy for poultry. After taking some time off to care for her 3 children, she obtained a Master's in Education at Wilmington University and taught for 14 years. In 2017 she started at Tri-State as a volunteer, completed a summer internship in 2021, and was hired in May 2023 as the Public Education & Outreach Coordinator.

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Agronomy, University of Delaware

Jarrod Miller grew up on a dairy farm in Maryland, and pursued degrees in Environmental Science and Soil Science at Virginia Tech and the University of Kentucky. As the Extension Agronomist at the University of Delaware, he provides applied research results on g

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Agronomy, University of Delaware

Jarrod Miller grew up on a dairy farm in Maryland, and pursued degrees in Environmental Science and Soil Science at Virginia Tech and the University of Kentucky. As the Extension Agronomist at the University of Delaware, he provides applied research results on grain crops to regional farmers and agricultural consultants.

Associate Director, Water Resources Center, University of Delaware

Martha Narvaez is a Lead Policy Scientist and the Associate Director of the Water Resources Center, a unit of the Institute for Public Administration, in the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware. Martha works to provide water-relate

Associate Director, Water Resources Center, University of Delaware

Martha Narvaez is a Lead Policy Scientist and the Associate Director of the Water Resources Center, a unit of the Institute for Public Administration, in the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware. Martha works to provide water-related science and policy assistance to governments, the public and students through the university's land-grant role in public service, education, and research. Martha has a BS in Biology from Lehigh University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Delaware. 

Sculptor/Painter

A proud alumni of The University of the Arts, my main career was as an art and design director in the advertising and marketing arenas. Though throughout college and since, my true passion has been creating fine art, and have exhibited locally, regionally and nationally. 

I am a member of Philadelphia Sculptors; Internation

Sculptor/Painter

A proud alumni of The University of the Arts, my main career was as an art and design director in the advertising and marketing arenas. Though throughout college and since, my true passion has been creating fine art, and have exhibited locally, regionally and nationally. 

I am a member of Philadelphia Sculptors; International Sculpture Center; an Artist Member of the Noyes Museum of Art at Stockton University; Gilbert W. Perry, Jr. Center for the Arts; an Art-Maker-Friend of The Delaware Contemporary; 2022 Individual Artist Fellowship in Visual Arts: Sculpture, from the Delaware Division of the Arts.

Director of Education, Outreach, and Research Engagement, Center for Plastics Innovation (University of Delaware)

Dr. Katie Herbert is the Director of Education, Outreach, and Research Engagement for the Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) at the University of Delaware. She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Engineering from the University of 

Director of Education, Outreach, and Research Engagement, Center for Plastics Innovation (University of Delaware)

Dr. Katie Herbert is the Director of Education, Outreach, and Research Engagement for the Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) at the University of Delaware. She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Engineering from the University of Chicago and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado Boulder, focusing on responsive polymer systems and liquid crystalline networks. At CPI, she leads education, outreach, and research engagement initiatives, including undergraduate research programs, professional development for graduate students and postdocs, and fostering collaborations in sustainability.

Senior Manager, Education & Community Conservation, National Wildlife Federation

Lindsey Walker is the Senior Manager of Education & Community Conservation for National Wildlife Federation’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Center. Along with her team, she partners with community groups to create native pollinator habitats and small-scale watershed r

Senior Manager, Education & Community Conservation, National Wildlife Federation

Lindsey Walker is the Senior Manager of Education & Community Conservation for National Wildlife Federation’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Center. Along with her team, she partners with community groups to create native pollinator habitats and small-scale watershed restoration projects at community-based sites, organize environmental education events, and implement NWF’s Garden for Wildlife and EcoSchools programs locally. Previously, Lindsey led volunteer and community engagement programs at Fairmount Park Conservancy in Philadelphia and holds a Master’s of Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

Education & Outreach Coordinator, Plastic Free Delaware

Elisa is a lifelong Delawarean with a passion for environmental stewardship and food system resiliency. For the last decade, Elisa has worked with various Delaware based organizations and started her own consulting business promoting sustainable and urban agriculture initiatives. Thro

Education & Outreach Coordinator, Plastic Free Delaware

Elisa is a lifelong Delawarean with a passion for environmental stewardship and food system resiliency. For the last decade, Elisa has worked with various Delaware based organizations and started her own consulting business promoting sustainable and urban agriculture initiatives. Through this work, community engagement became a focus as the coordinator for small and large community events including establishing a farmer's market. Elisa is excited to help spread the word and increase engagement for Plastic Free Delaware to reach all Delawareans in particular those most impacted by waste and pollution. In her free time, you can find Elisa volunteering with the Delaware Urban Farm & Food Coalition and the Delaware Community Benefits Agreement Coalition as well as taking flamenco classes, walking at Bellevue State Park, and enjoying time with her family.

Director, University of Delaware Water Resources Center

Gerald is Director of the University of Delaware Water Resources Center (UDWRC) one of the 54 Congressionally chartered National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) established by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 and supported by the U.S. Department of Interior at land grant

Director, University of Delaware Water Resources Center

Gerald is Director of the University of Delaware Water Resources Center (UDWRC) one of the 54 Congressionally chartered National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) established by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 and supported by the U.S. Department of Interior at land grant universities in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and island territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.  Dr. Kauffman is President of NIWR and holds faculty appointments in the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Geography Department and studied at the two oldest land grant schools in the nation, Delaware (est. 1743) and Rutgers (est. 1766).