Dr. Jason Polk

The Laboratory Director is the main laboratory contact person and is responsible for the administration of the laboratory as well as the technical integrity of all chemical and microbiological analyses. The Laboratory Director’s administrative responsibilities include laboratory correspondence and university relations, developing and monitoring the budget, approving requisitions, achieving and maintaining laboratory certifications, laboratory safety program development and approval, approving all non-routine equipment maintenance, and approving the quality assurance plan, chain of custody form, analysis report template, all

marketing materials, and stormwater outfall inspections. In the absence of the Laboratory Manager, the Laboratory Director may approve analysis reports.

Jason Polk obtained a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida in Geography and

Environmental Science and Policy. Dr. Polk is the Director of CHNGES/HydroAnalytical Lab and an Associate Professor of Environmental Geoscience at Western Kentucky University. He has over 15 years of experience in water resources and has been Principle Investigator or Project Lead on more than 20 projects focused on stormwater, groundwater, water quality, flooding, and BMPs development, particularly in karst geologic settings. He has managed

over $5 million in funded projects and trained more than 100 students in hydrologic methods in working with private and public entities on MS4 programs, reporting, and peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Polk served on the State Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Boards and is familiar with the regulations, best practices, and most recent advances in stormwater management.