An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Meet EPA Scientist Robert Janke

Robert at his computerEPA scientist Robert Janke

EPA scientist Robert Janke has worked with EPA in Cincinnati, Ohio since 2003. He is a founding member of the Homeland Security Modeling Program and now works to help bring smart water technologies to water systems. Prior to joining EPA, he spent 12 years with the Department of Energy conducting and evaluating modeling studies and risk assessments to support environmental remediation. He was actively involved in the design, construction, and deployment of real-time radiological detection instrumentation for remediating large, outdoor surface areas contaminated with radionuclides.

How does your science matter?

My research has focused on improving the operations, security and resilience of water systems. I want to help change the way that water systems look at and use their infrastructure models and data assets. Technological advances together with advanced data analytics can be efficiently used to provide a real-time understanding of what is happening in the water distribution system and help address a host of 21st century problems.

I am fortunate because I work on drinking water, specifically making drinking water systems more secure, reliable, and resilient. What could be more important than clean, potable water and its safe and dependable delivery? 

When did you first know you wanted to be a scientist?

I’ve known since I was very young, because I was always interested in science and inventing things.

What do you like most about your research?

I like that my job is to keep learning. I like to joke that working at EPA in research is like being back in school without the tests! I enjoy reading papers and working on publications. I also enjoy working with computers and running “what if” scenarios on water systems using our high-performance computing system.

If you could have dinner with any scientist, past or present, who would it be and what would you like to ask?

Probably Richard Feynman and Sean Carroll. For Feynman, a physicist, I would be happy to just have been able to meet him and listen to one of his many fascinating stories. For Carroll, also a physicist, I would love to talk with him about his book “The Big Picture” and what motivated him to write it.

Tell us about your background.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Science in Health Physics, both from the University of Cincinnati. I was fortunate during my undergraduate years to work at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the Gastroenterology Department. As part of the research laboratory, I performed radioimmunoassay tests on blood serum samples looking for bile acids and research studies on liver enzymes. I had some really great mentors whose advice and guidance were instrumental to my career.  

If you weren’t a scientist, what would you be doing?

Riding my bike!

Any advice for students considering a career in science?

I recommend that students work on acquiring a toolbox of advanced technical skills, i.e., mathematical, analytical, and computational. I would tell them that, “A toolbox of capabilities, along with discipline and hard work, will take you far!”


Editor's Note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the researcher alone. EPA does not endorse the opinions or positions expressed.