Director of the UN-RCE Detroit
Dr. Donna Kashian Wayne State University
Dr. Donna Kashian, a researcher based in Detroit, Michigan, specializes in Aquatic Ecology, Ecotoxicology, and Invasion Ecology. Her research focuses on using aquatic organisms to understand the impacts of environmental contaminants and addresses environmental justice challenges, particularly in urban areas where minority groups face greater exposure to pollutants. Donna has developed methods to improve water quality monitoring, integrating her findings into community programs to raise awareness about environmental health threats. She earned her Ph.D. in Zoology and Ecotoxicology from the University of Wisconsin in 2002, her Master of Science in Zoology from Michigan State University in 1998, and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Eastern Michigan University in 1993. Dr. Kashian also leads the Detroit side of the RCE Detroit-Windsor collaboration, fostering strong academic and community connections to further regional education and sustainability goals.
Director of the UN-RCE Windsor
Dr. Anneke Smit University of Windsor
Anneke Smit is an Associate Professor and the founder and inaugural Director of the Centre for Cities (C4C) at Windsor Law. Her research and teaching focus on spatial justice and the intersection of people and place, with a particular interest in municipal law and policy, land use planning (including expropriation), and property law. Anneke is excited to join the UN Regional Centre of Expertise (UN-RCE) to support regional sustainability goals.
Sustainability Coordinators
Edna Lorenz Wayne State University
Edna Lorenz is an accomplished energy and sustainability leader with extensive experience in driving strategic sustainability initiatives and achieving significant energy reductions in large-scale organizations. As the former Energy Director at Corewell Health, she shaped and executed a comprehensive energy and carbon reduction program across 22 hospitals. Previously, at Environmental Systems Design in Chicago, she managed LEED certification projects, energy audits, and renewable energy analysis. Edna has contributed to the LEED v4 Reference Guide, authored publications on energy benchmarking, and is a sought-after speaker on energy management, sustainability, and green building practices.
Dr. Elena Past Wayne State University
Elena Past, a professor of Italian, focuses her research and teaching on contemporary Italian literature and cinema, ecomedia studies, environmental humanities, posthumanism, animal studies, Italian crime fiction, and ecomafia. She explores the intersections of culture, environment, and media, contributing to Italian studies. Currently, she is working on a project about Ferrania Film, Italy’s historic manufacturer of analog film stock, aiming to uncover its cultural and environmental significance. With her extensive background in environmental studies, Elena is thrilled to join the UN Regional Centre of Expertise (UN-RCE), eager to support regional sustainability goals and foster a collaborative effort towards a more sustainable future.
Dr. Stephanie Hartwell Wayne State University
Dr. Stephanie Hartwell became dean of Wayne State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2018. She is a professor of sociology and adjunct professor of psychiatry, conducting research focused on vulnerable populations, including formerly incarcerated individuals and victims of gun violence. Hartwell earned her Ph.D. from Yale University and previously served as a professor at UMass Boston, where she received the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Teaching. She has published over 45 peer-reviewed articles and secured $8 million in research grants. Outside of work, Hartwell enjoys spending time with her daughters, jogging with her pets, and cultivating her love for flowers and reading. Hartwell is thrilled to join the UN Regional Centre of Expertise (UN-RCE), eager to support regional sustainability goals and foster a collaborative effort towards a more sustainable future.
Dr. Ahmad Ezzeddine Wayne State University
Dr. Ahmad Ezzeddine is the Senior Vice Provost for Partnerships, Workforce, and International Initiatives at Wayne State University, overseeing academic and corporate outreach programs, workforce development, and partnerships with community colleges. As the university’s Senior International Officer, he leads WSU’s global engagement, managing international affiliations, recruiting, study abroad, and global education initiatives. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of NAFSA since 2019 and was recognized as Senior International Officer of the Year by the Institute of International Education in 2022. Dr. Ezzeddine is also responsible for building partnerships within Detroit and the region, focusing on workforce development and community engagement. He serves on the Executive Committee of APLU’s Commission on Economic and Community Engagement and chairs the Board of Directors of ACCESS, the largest Arab American nonprofit in the U.S.
Dr. Edwin Tam University of Windsor
Edwin Tam, an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Windsor, focuses his research on end-of-life vehicle recycling, brownfields management, assessing infrastructure sustainability, and life cycle assessment approaches. Dedicated to advancing sustainability, he is excited to join the UN Regional Centre of Expertise (UN-RCE) and looks forward to applying his environmental background to help achieve regional sustainability goals. His commitment to sustainable practices and innovative research makes him a valuable asset in the collective effort towards a greener future.
Nadia Harduar University of Windsor
As the University of Windsor’s first sustainability officer, Nadia Harduar coordinates and enhances sustainability activities across campus, ensuring alignment with best practices and maintaining sustainability as a core focus. Working closely with operations and academic leadership teams, external partners, and community members, she drives positive changes and fosters a culture of sustainability at the university. Nadia is excited to join the UN Regional Centre of Expertise (UN-RCE) and looks forward to applying her environmental background to help achieve regional sustainability goals.
Dr. Catherine Fabria University of Windsor
Assistant Professor Catherine Febria, based at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research and the Department of Integrative Biology, holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Freshwater Restoration Ecology. She specializes in headwater stream ecology, restoration in settled landscapes (agricultural and urban), ecosystem services, socio-ecological systems, ecosystem science, microbial ecology, and traditional ecological knowledge. Passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. She is excited to join the UN Regional Centre of Expertise (UN-RCE) to support regional sustainability goals.
Dr. Lee Rodney University of Windsor
Lee Rodney is an Associate Professor of Media Art and Cultures in the School of Creative Arts at the University of Windsor, cross-appointed to the MA program in Communication, Media, and Film and the Ph.D. program in Argumentation Studies. She supervises graduate students in media arts, interdisciplinary research, and collaborative and performative approaches to visual and media arts practice. Since 2008, Lee has conducted borderlands-related research, starting with a Fulbright fellowship studying urban regions along the U.S.-Mexico and Canada-U.S. borders. She has extensively published and exhibited work on borderlands and alternative cartographies.
