The University of the District of Columbia will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. Classes are canceled, and all offices will be closed.
Dr. TolessaDeksissa is an accomplished environmental scientist and Director of the Water Resources Research Institute at the University of the District of Columbia, where he leads cutting-edge research on urban water quality, emerging contaminants, and sustainable stormwater management. With expertise in integrated water systems modeling, environmental toxicology, and quality assurance for accredited laboratories, his work bridges scientific innovation with practical applications to enhance water sustainability and ecosystem resilience.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Biological Sciences: Environmental Technology, Ghent University Master of Science in Environmental Science, Ghent University Bachelor of Science in Arid Land Crop Sciences, Haramaya University of Agricultural Science
Roles
Director, Water Resources Research Institute, UDC, 2012-Present Founding Director, Professional Science Master’s in Water Resources Management, CAUSES, UDC, 2009-Present Founding Technical Director and Quality Assurance Officer, Environmental Quality Testing Laboratory, CAUSES, UDC, 2008-Present Research Associate, Agricultural Experiment Station and DC Water Resource Research Institute, UDC, 2006-2012
Courses Taught
Water Quality Assessment, Monitoring & Treatment Water Quality Modeling Environmental Toxicology Urban Water Quality Management Environments and Sustainability Environmental Studies and Sustainability
Expertise
Strategic Program Development Extensive Research Demonstrated Laboratory Leadership Grant Writing and Fundraising Extensive Teaching Experience
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Assessing stormwater green infrastructure; modeling urban wastewater systmes; emerging contiminants research; water quality monitoring; contaminant fate and trasnport studies; dynamic modeling projects
Leadership
Director, Water Resources Research Institute, UDC, 2012-Present Secretary, Executive Advisory Board, American Water Resources Association (AWRA), North Capitol Region Section, 2023-Present Immediate Past President, Executive Advisory Board, AWRA, North Capitol Region Section, 2021-22 Founding Director, Professional Science Master’s in Water Resources Management, CAUSES, UDC, 2009-Present Founding Technical Director and Quality Assurance Officer, Environmental Quality Testing Laboratory, CAUSES, UDC, 2008-Present President, Executive Board, AWRA, North Capitol Region Section, 2019-21
Impact
Selected Publications
Deksissa, T. (2024). Unlocking excellence: A journey to self-development. Independently Published.
Deksissa, T. (2023). Urban stormwater runoff for potable use: Potential and challenges. In T. Younos, J. Lee, & T.E. Parece (Eds.), Alternative water sources for producint potable water: Advances in research & technology. Springer.
Deksissa, T., Trobman, H., Zendehdel, K., & Azam, H. (2021). Integrating urban agriculture and stormwater management in a circular economy to enhance ecosystem services: Connecting the dots. Sustainability, 13(15), 8293. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158293
Selected Presentations
Deksissa, T. (2022). Stormwater quality treatment with bioretention cell: Is it a filter or sponge? UCOWR/NIWR Annual Water Resources Conference, Greenville, South Carolina.
Deksissa, T. (2020). Monitoring PFAS in the Environment. PFAS in Water: Policy and Management, NCR-AWRA Symposium, Washington, D.C.
Selected Grants
United States Geological Survey. (2014). Water resources research.
National Science Foundation. (2022). Integrating water-energy-food-climate nexus into undergraduate engineering and science education.
Department of Defense. (2022). Instrument award.
National Science Foundation. (2015). Project Firebirds reinventing STEM teaching.
Recognitions
Inducted into Marquis Who's Who of 2024 Recipient, National Black Engineer of the Year in Research Leadership, 2022 Quality Matters-Certified in Online Course Designing and Teaching Recipient, Myrtilla Miner Faculty Fellowship Recipient, Wave of Excellency Award, University of the District of Columbia.
Invited Participations
Deksissa, T. (2024). Advancing sustainable water resource management: Bridging research, industry needs, and student training through an accredited environmental quality testing laboratory. The American Geophysical Union Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
Deksissa, T. (2024). Harvesting urban stormwater: Exploring potential and overcoming challenges for potable use. The ARCSA 19th Annual Conference. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Deksissa, T. (2023). The role of land grant model & community engagement for community climate action.17th Biennial Conference on Communication and the Environment, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
