Bonnie Mc Devitt
About Bonnie Mc Devitt
Bonnie McDevitt is a Research Engineer at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Reston, Virginia, specializing in radium treatment and optimizing oil and gas produced water treatment. She holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Penn State University and has experience in various environmental roles, including as a Source Water Protection Specialist.
Work at U.S. Geological Survey
Bonnie Mc Devitt has been employed as a Research Engineer at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since 2020. Based in Reston, Virginia, she focuses on optimizing oil and gas produced water treatment as part of her post-doctoral research under the Mendenhall Fellowship. Her work involves applying her expertise in radium treatment within the context of energy development.
Education and Expertise
Bonnie Mc Devitt earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Penn State University, where she conducted collaborative studies in industrial wastewater treatment and radium geochemistry. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation, Agriculture & Natural Resources from the University of Delaware. Her educational background equips her with a strong foundation in environmental engineering and natural resource management.
Background
Bonnie Mc Devitt's academic journey began at Abington Senior High School, where she studied from 2004 to 2008. Following high school, she attended the University of Delaware, completing her undergraduate studies from 2008 to 2012. She then pursued her PhD at Penn State University from 2016 to 2020, gaining valuable research and teaching experience during her time there.
Previous Work Experience
Prior to her role at USGS, Bonnie Mc Devitt worked as a Source Water Protection Specialist for the New Jersey Water Association from 2013 to 2016. She also served as a PhD Research and Teaching Assistant at Penn State University during her doctoral studies. Earlier in her career, she volunteered with the Delaware Nature Society Inc as a Stream Watch Volunteer in 2010 and interned at the Briar Bush Nature Center in 2009.
Achievements
In April 2021, Bonnie Mc Devitt received an Honorable Mention in the USGS Photo Contest, highlighting her contributions to the organization beyond her engineering work. This recognition reflects her engagement with the broader mission of the USGS and her ability to communicate scientific concepts visually.