Abu L. Senkayi
Dr. Senkayi has over 30 years of professional experience in academic research, teaching, and environmental consulting. Currently, Dr. Senkayi is an environmental scientist with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 in Dallas, Texas. In this position, he is responsible for coordinating enforcement/compliance activities specifically related to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO).
After earning his Ph.D. degree in soil science from the University of California at Davis in 1977, Dr. Senkayi joined Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, as a research scientist. For 10 years, he taught and investigated environmental problems associated with surface mining of lignite and reclamation of surface-mined lands. His research findings were published in scientific journals, including Clays and Clay Minerals and the Soil Science Society of America Journal.
Following his academic research and teaching career at Texas A&M University, Dr. Senkayi decided to pursue environmental consulting. For 10 years, he worked for several environmental consulting companies, including Ebasco Environmental Services and PRC Environmental Services (PRC-EMI). While working for PRC-EMI, Dr. Senkayi provided technical support to EPA Region 6 on issues related to the implementation and enforcement of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
After his environmental consulting career ended in 1996, Dr. Senkayi joined the state agency (the Texas Railroad Commission) that regulates lignite surface mining activities in the State of Texas. His responsibilities included developing technical guidance and policies for regulating surface mining activities in the State of Texas. In 1997, Dr. Senkayi left the Texas Railroad Commission and joined EPA Region 6 as an environmental scientist.
Dr. Senkayi’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and a Ph.D. degree from the University of California at Davis. He is a former member of the Clay Mineral Society, Soil Science Society of America, and the Mineralogical Society of Great Britain.
Dr. Senkayi was awarded the PRC Exceptional Performance Award in 1991, and the prestigious EPA Region 6 Gregg Cooke Strategic Alliance Award in 2013. He has also been featured numerous times in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. In 2018, Dr. Senkayi was presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who. In 2020, Dr. Senkayi was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement” award by the DFW Federal Executive Board. This award honors an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standard of excellence and dedication to public service.