The 2025 AAEES Autumn Summit
Think Forward

October 9, 2025
Noon - 3 PM Eastern | 9 am - Noon Pacific

The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists supports the profession across the life course. Resilient professionals benefit from and contribute to the success of each other and our shared mission to hold paramount the health, safety, and welfare of the public as well solve the problems of planetary health. The theme, “Think Forward” was selected to highlight that environmental engineers and scientists are leaders of excellence in education, practice, research, policy, and regulation. The changing dynamics around us provide an opportunity for a renewed emphasis on our core, shared mission. And this summit brings together thought leadership to stimulate a discussion of how best to thrive as a profession.

Start Time (Eastern)	Start Time (Pacific)	Duration	Description
Noon	9:00 am	5 min	Daniel Oerther, Ph.D., BCEE, BCES Executive Director American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) Event Welcome
12:05 pm	9:05 am	5 min	Daniel Oerther to Introduce KEYNOTE ONE
12:10 pm	9:10 am	15 min	KEYNOTE ONE Kate Harris, BCEEM, NAC CEO and Chair Stanley Consultants (https://www.stanleyconsultants.com/about/our-team) Our Future of Work Includes Remote Team, Artificial Intelligence, and an Emphasis on Professional Skills
12: 25 pm	9:25 am	5 min	Moderated Q/A
12:30 pm	9:30 am	5 min	Daniel Oerther, Ph.D., BCEE, BCES Executive Director American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) Moderator for Panel 1: Session Welcome and Panelist Introduction
12:35 pm	9:35 am	5 min	Nirupam Aich, PhD McNeel Associate Professor University of Nebraska (https://engineering.unl.edu/chme/person/nirupam-aich/) Navigating the early career: thriving in the transition from formal education to professional identity
12:40 pm	9:40 am	5 min	Speaker 2 TBA
12:45 pm	9:45 am	5 min	Speaker 3 TBA
12:50 pm	9:50 am	10 min	Moderated Q/A
1:00 pm	10:00 am	30 min	Poster Session
1:30 pm	10:30 am	5 min	Daniel Oerther to Introduce KEYNOTE TWO
1:35 pm	10:35 am	15 min	KEYNOTE TWO David Dyjack, DrPH, CIH Executive Director National Environmental Health Association (https://www.neha.org/staff) Resilient Professionals Lean On and Benefit From Strong Professional Societies and Shared Professional Identity
1:50 pm	10:50 am	10 min	Moderated Q/A
2:00 pm	11:00 am	5 min	Daniel Oerther, Ph.D.,BCEE, BCES Executive Director American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) Session Welcome and Panel 2 Introduction
2:05 pm	11:05 am	5 min	Isabel Escobar, PhD Chellgren Endowed Chair University of Kentucky (https://engr.uky.edu/people/isabel-escobar) Crafting work-life balance: personal and professional networks and the role of mentors and role models
2:10 pm	11:10 am	5 min	Speaker 5 TBA
2:15 pm	11:15 am	5 min	Speaker 6 TBA
2:20 pm	11:20 am	10 min	Moderated Q/A
2:30 pm	11:30 am	5 min	Daniel Oerther to Introduce KEYNOTE THREE
2:35 pm	11:35 am	15 min	KEYNOTE THREE Karl Rockne, PhD, PE, BCEE Director of Research Development University of Illinois Chicago (https://cme.uic.edu/profiles/karl/) Gazing into the Crystal Ball: The Future of Research and Development in Environmental Engineering and Science
2:50 pm	11:50 am	5 min	Moderated Q/A
2:55 pm	11:55 am	5 min	Daniel Oerther, Ph.D., BCEE, BCES Executive Director American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) Audience Thanks