Keith Loftin
Cape Fair, MO 65624
913-220-9925
kloftin555@gmail.com
Subject: I have worked for the United States Geological Survey since 2004 as a Research Chemist and Environmental Engineer studying the Nation’s surface water quality and oversee staff working on toxicology of fish and wildlife, collaborate with the National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service among many others. I have a B.S. in Polymers and Coatings Chemistry, a M.S. in Environmental Engineering, and a PhD in Civil/Environmental Engineering. I lead a USGS Environmental Health Research team (Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Science Team | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)) of principle investigators that study the effects, transport and fate of cyanotoxins produced by cyanobacteria (aka blue-green algae). We use scientific techniques from ground to space including satellites to do our investigations and translate the knowledge we gain into information that Congress, Surface Water Managers, Drinking Water Treatment Operators, and Tourism officials at the Federal, State, Municipal and Tribal levels use for decision making. I also spent a part of my career working on pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and other contaminants in surface waters. I have been fly fishing and tying since I was in high school (approximately 30 years). Work has kept me to busy, but am getting back involved and recently relocated to the Ozarks in Missouri again. I spent 10 years going to college in Rolla, MO in the Ozarks where I fished the Current River, Big and Little Piney Rivers, Gasconade River, Meramec, Niangua, and Roubidoux River routinely for Rainbows, Browns and warm water species. I am not an expert fisherman. Just enjoy the outdoors, pretty scenery and a tying a fly that fools the fish on my line.
Travel: National if expenses are covered if in a personal capacity that is outside of the Branson/Springfield, MO area. If still with USGS, I might be able to travel in a professional capacity and have my expenses covered as education and outreach activities are a part of what we do.
Expenses: See Travel section. Not interested in collecting a speaker’s fee either way. Just interested in helping out with education and conservation if desired.