Paul Ziemkiewicz is the Director of the West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI). The WVWRI has a staff of thirteen and works with the faculty of WVU and other universities to manage programs that range from local, regional, national, to international in scope. Major programs include mine drainage, watershed management, biofuels, industrial site restoration and treatment of drilling brines.
Dr. Ziemkiewicz’s responsibilities focus on addressing high priority environmental issues by developing research opportunities, assembling and managing research teams and responding to the needs of sponsors. In addition to his research roles, Dr. Ziemkiewicz serves on both state and federal policy advisory committees focusing on energy and water. Dr. Ziemkiewicz is a member of the West Virginia Acid Mine Drainage Task Force, the Eastern Mine Drainage Federal Consortium, the West Virginia Special Reclamation Trust Fund Advisory Council and the Ohio River Basin Water Availability and Management Work Group. Dr. Ziemkiewicz received the E.M. Watkin Award in 1985 for Outstanding Contribution to the Betterment of Land Reclamation in Canada, presented by the Canadian Reclamation Association. In 2005, he received the Environmental Conservation Distinguished Service Award, presented by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. In 2017, he received the Pioneers in Reclamation Award presented by the American Society of Mining and Reclamation. He holds a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Master’s in Range Ecology from Utah State University, and Doctorate in Forest Ecology from the University of British Columbia.