RNT Consulting Inc.

Aquatic Invasive Species Specialists

Partner and Chief Scientist

Ms. Claudi is an environmental scientist with over 25 years of diverse business and technical experience. After more than 15 years in the electric power industry, where she established the mussel mitigation program for Ontario's largest electricity utility, Ms. Claudi formed RNT Consulting Inc. to respond to the broader industry need for expert mussel support. As aquatic nuisance species became geographically more widespread, Ms. Claudi has provided mussel expertise internationally on the various aspects of alien species invasions, including their economic impact, protection of assets, selection of appropriate control options, and installation of these control options.

Academic Background

• Master of Science, Biological Oceanography (McGill University)
• Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology (McGill University)

Professional Experience

RNT Consulting Inc., Partner and Chief Scientist

• Consult on issues surrounding alien species biology, control, and impact
• Perform vulnerability assessments on water distribution systems and facilities
• Develop public outreach materials to help minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species
• Various clients include Environment Canada, Transport Canada, Ontario Power Generation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, California Department of Water Resources, U.S. Patent Office, Brazilian and Spanish Utilities

Ontario Hydro (Head Office), Senior Scientist, Water Section, Safety & Environment

• Responsible for assessment of the impact of zebra mussels on operating stations, development of mitigation plans, interaction with other utilities and industries, organization of major scientific meetings
• Developed strategic alliances and communication tools to improve information exchange and maximize effective use of research dollars
• Managed specific research projects, delivered numerous presentations with varying technical content
• Developed and taught a community college course on Zebra Mussels

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (CANDU Operations), Marketing Team Member

• Member of a team charged with the marketing of engineering services
• Participated in a site study to place a CANDU nuclear station on the shores of the Mediterranean in Turkey. This assignment involved a site visit, hands-on evaluation of consultant reports submitted to the Turkish Electrical Authority, and input to the design process for the balance of plant.

Selected Activities and Achievements

• Invited to participate in the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force Invasive Species Experts Database, 2010
• Convener and co-chair of a Symposium on Exotic Bivalves at the Summer Meeting of the American Society of Limnologists and Oceanographers in Williamsburg, Virginia, June 1990
• Invited member of a Utility Advisory Group on Zebra Mussels organized by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), January 1990
• Technical Program Chair and primary organizer of the 1990 - 2000 International Zebra Mussel Conferences
• Member of the convening committees for the 2001 - 2007 International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species
• Invited member of a Scientific Panel of the National Sea Grant College Program; asked to evaluate research proposals for zebra mussel impact and control submitted for funding in 1992
• Invited member of the Great Lakes Panel on Exotic Species established in November 1991; the Great Lakes Commission received an official charter from the Secretary of the Interior to create the panel which is to advance research and coordinate monitoring and control activities targeted at the zebra mussel and other aquatic nuisances in the Great Lakes Basin
• Acted as an expert witness for technical review of a Patent Application for the U. S. Patent Office

Publications and Presentations

• Claudi, R. 1990. Effect of sodium hypochlorite on adult zebra mussels at an electrical generating facility; case study. NABS Conference, May 1990, Blacksburg, Virginia.
• Claudi, R. 1990. Zebra mussels; Impact on Industry. Presentation to the Ministry of Natural Resources Zebra Mussel Information Session, June 1990, Toronto, Ontario.
• Claudi, R. 1990. Zebra mussel invasion of the Great Lakes. R. Claudi, Presentation to the Canadian Nuclear Society, Golden Horseshoe Branch, October 1990, Hamilton, Ontario.
• Claudi, R. and D. W. Evans. 1990. Chemical addition strategies for zebra mussel control in once - through service water systems. EPRI Service Water Conference, December 1990, Orlando, Florida. Published in Zebra Mussels: Biology, Impact and Control, Lewis Publishers, edited by T. Nalepa and D. Schloesser.
• Claudi, R. 1991. Research into zebra mussel control strategies at Ontario Hydro. Presentation to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, May 1991.
• Claudi, R. 1991. Control of zebra mussels in once-through cooling systems. AWWA Conference, June 1991, Philadelphia. Published in the proceedings of the Conference.
• Claudi, R. 1991. Zebra mussel invasion of the Great Lakes and impact on industry. Northeast Power Coordinating Council Meeting, October 1991, Toronto, Ontario.
• Claudi, R. 1992. Canadian research in zebra mussel control strategies. Michigan Seagrant Extension Zebra Mussel Conference, January 1992, East Lansing, Michigan.
• Claudi, R. 1992. Zebra mussels; impact on industry. Scientists' Institute for Public Information, Binational Great Lakes Environmental Reporting Workshop, April 1992, Toronto, Ontario.
• Claudi, R. and J. D. Ackerman. 1992. Post- settlement movements of juvenile zebra mussels and their potential impact on plant systems. National Association of Corrosion Engineers Meeting, May 1992, Nashville, Tenn. Published in the Proceedings of the Conference.
• Claudi, R. 1992. Case study of biofouling species and their control. Louisiana State University Zebra Mussel Conference, May 1992, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• Claudi, R. 1992. Zebra mussels and their impact. North American Lake Management Society Meeting, November 1992, Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Claudi, R. 1992. Description of practical methods for monitoring and control of zebra mussels in industrial facilities. Water Quality Technology Conference, November 1992, Toronto, Ontario.
• Claudi, R. and G. L. Mackie. 1993. Practical Manual for Zebra Mussel Monitoring and Control. Lewis Publishers.
• Claudi, R. 1997. Potential for Sterilization of NOBOB Ballast Water Remnants with Organic Acid. RNT Report 9609 for DFO Canada.
• Claudi, R. and J. H. Leach. 2000. Nonindigenous Aquatic Organisms. Lewis Publishers.
• Claudi, R. 2002. Environmental and Economic Costs of Alien Invasive Species in Canada. Report prepared for Environment Canada.
• Claudi, R. 2002. Quantification of Risks of Alien Species Introductions Associated with Alternative Area for Ballast Water Exchange in the Laurentian Channel of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. RNT Report 108 for Transport Canada 2002.
• Claudi, R. 2004. Potential Impact of Limnoperna fortunii on Brazilian Hydroelectric plants. Report prepared for Brazilian Utility under contract to World Fisheries Trust.
• Claudi, R. 2006. Investigation of Sparker Technology for Control of Aquatic Alien species in Ballast Water. Presented at the 14th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species in Miami, Florida.