2011-12 Faculty Senate Members > Cooperative Extension
Susan Donaldson
Term Expires: May 2014
Phone: 775-336-0242 (direct) 775-784-4848 (main)
Website: Website
Email: donaldsons@unce.unr.edu
Brief Bio: Dr. Donaldson is a Water Quality Education Specialist and Associate Professor with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Her primary areas of interest include sustainable methods of managing stormwater to protect urban water quality, interactions between human activities and riparian health/ecosystem integrity, and safe and effective use of pesticides. In addition, Dr. Donaldson works with community land-use decision makers to help prepare them for their role in reviewing development plans. Dr. Donaldson provides training and education for weed managers and pesticide applicators, and helps guide the Lake Tahoe and Truckee Meadows Invasive Weed Coordinating Groups. In addition to her appointment in the Western Area Cooperative Extension, she is a member of the Hydrology/Hydrogeology Graduate Faculty and pursues collaborative research with faculty in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources. Dr. Donaldson has received more than $2 million in grants to support her research and education programs.
Dr. Donaldson received a BS in Biology from University of Nevada, Reno (1982); completed a a Master of Science in Hydrology/Hydrogeology from University of Nevada, Reno (1990); and a Ph.D. in Hydrology/Hydrogeology from University of Nevada, Reno (1994). She has been a community educator and member of the University faculty since 1994.
Dr. Donaldson is a member of the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP), Nevada Weed Management Association, California Invasive Plant Council and Phi Kappa Phi. She served as President of ANREP from 1997 to 1999 and was a member of the Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) during the same period, serving as Secretary in 1999. She shares her research and outreach findings at national and international professional conferences, and is often invited to assist other groups in developing capacity to address stormwater and invasive weed issues.