Renata Rimšaitė
Senior Program Manager
Bio: Renata Rimšaitė (she/her) is an applied economist with expertise in water management policy. As a senior program manager, Renata oversees programs that focus on food and water security advancement. She is particularly interested in emerging research and engagement areas around intersections between agricultural water use, sustainable finance, climate change, and public health. Renata is especially excited about building new relationships and advancing existing partnerships and collaborations with internal teams across the University of Nebraska system, as well as with external stakeholders in the public and private sectors. She is affiliated with the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute since 2019.
Originally, Renata is from Lithuania. She holds a doctorate in Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Economics (Pennsylvania State University), a bachelor’s degree in Economics (Frostburg State University), and a bachelor’s degree in Law (Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania).
Responsibilities:
- Develop, manage, and oversee programs focusing on improving food and water security, including fundraising, external partner relationship management, and team and student mentoring.
- Advance research and engagement efforts around intersections between agricultural water use, climate change, sustainable finance, and public health.
- Build and advance collaborative partnerships across the University of Nebraska system and with external partners from for-profit, non-profit, government, and multilateral organizations.
- Provide support for student education and engagement programs.
Selected Outputs:
Publications and Multimedia
Journal articles, book chapters, reports
2023
- Jayasekera D.H., R. Rimšaitė, and J.E. Bell, August 2023. “Nitrate Contamination in Drinking Water.” The Actuary, https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/nitrate-contamination-in-drinking-water/.
- Garrick, D., S. Balasubramanya, M. Beresford, A. Wutich, G.G. Gilson, I. Jorgensen, N. Brozović, M. Cox, X. Dai, S. Erfurth, R. Rimšaitė, J. Svensson, J.T. Jones, H. Unnikrishnan, C. Wight, S. Villamayor-Tomas, and K.V. Mendoza, 2023. “A systems perspective on water markets: barriers, bright spots, and building blocks for the next generation.” Environmental Research Letters, 18(3), https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acb227.
- Rimšaitė R. and N. Brozović, 2023. “Groundwater development paths in the U.S. High Plains.” Oxford Encyclopedia of Water Resources Management and Planning. Oxford University Press, https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199389414.013.832.
- Rimšaitė R. and N. Brozović, 2023. “Groundwater Transfers in Nebraska.” Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/-/media/projects/dwfi/resource-documents/reports-and-working-papers/groundwater-transfers-in-nebraska.pdf.
2022
- Rimšaitė R., N. Brozović, S. Munezero, and F. Hayes, September 2022. “Statewide groundwater management through local conservation districts” Case study 6: United States (Nebraska), World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC, https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/sustainable-groundwater-management-for-agriculture.
2021
- Oamek, G., and R. Rimšaitė, 2021. "Economic impact of the irrigation equipment and services industry." Irrigation Association and Irrigation Innovation Consortium, https://www.irrigation.org/IA/Advocacy/Research-Reports/Economic-Impact-Study/IA/Advocacy/Economic-Impact-Study.aspx.
- Rimšaitė, R., J. Gibson, and N. Brozović, 2021. "Informing drought mitigation policy by estimating the value of water for crop production." Environmental Research Communications, 3(4), https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/abf160.
Briefs, infographics, blogs, newsletters
2024
- Rimšaitė R., January 2024. “Investing to lower water risk in agriculture.” Irrigation Today, Economy column; https://irrigationtoday.org/features/investing-to-lower-water-risk-in-agriculture/.
2023
- Barry A., O. Keza, R. Williss, R. Rimšaitė, H. Jayasekera and N. Brozović, November 2023. “Private Well Water in Nebraska.” Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/-/media/projects/dwfi/news/2023/reducing-nitrate-intake/2023-11-07_privatewellmanagersgraphic.pdf.
- Brozović N. and R. Rimšaitė, November 2023. “Sneak peek – groundwater policy research in progress.” Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/news-and-events/news/2023/11/sneak-peek---groundwater-policy-research-in-progress.
- Rimšaitė R., November 2023. “Searching for agricultural water management solutions.” Irrigation Today, Economy column; https://irrigationtoday.org/features/searching-for-agricultural-water-management-solutions/.
- Williss R., R. Rimšaitė, A. Melkani, N. Brozović, 2023. “Agricultural Water Use.” Infographic series, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/our-work/research-and-policy/agricultural-water-use.
2022
- Rimšaitė R. and Brozović, September 2022. “Agricultural Groundwater Transfers in Nebraska: Decision Process for Buyers & Sellers.” Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/-/media/projects/dwfi/resource-documents/institute-resources/agricultural-groundwater-transfers-in-nebraska.pdf.
- Rimsaite R., S. Munezero, and N. Brozović, 2021-2022. “Transferring groundwater in the High Plains.” Infographic series, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/our-work/research-and-policy/transferring-groundwater-in-the-high-plains.
- Rimšaitė R., (ed.), 2020-2022. “Drought, Water, Health and Economics.” Monthly newsletter, Issue 19, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, https://conta.cc/3DG3mRs.
2021
- R. Rimšaitė and N. Brozović, April 2021. "Experiences using economic incentives to support the Platte River ecosystem." Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, https://waterforfood.nebraska.edu/news-and-events/news/2021/04/experiences-using-economic-incentives-to-support-the-platte-river-ecosystem.
Videos and podcasts
2023
- LinkedIn video clip about Nebraska’s water transfers and management. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, September 2023, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/waterforfood_watertransfers-watermanagement-drought-activity-7103044700126814210-nqUO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop.
- LinkedIn video clip about incentive-based water management. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, August 2023, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/waterforfood_incentivebased-watermanagement-watermarkets-activity-7101956863428096001-okfQ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop.
- YouTube video interview with interns Ally Barry and Ornella Uwayo Keza. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, February 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvgLj18e7u4.
2022
- A podcast about incentive-based water management. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, October 2022, https://dwffpodcast.libsyn.com/18-renata-rimait-dwfi-and-national-drought-mitigation-center.
2021
- YouTube video interview with intern Sarah Munezero. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, May 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neFQUHteG40.
Presentations and Engagements
2024
- “Groundwater use for agriculture in the High Plains region and beyond.” Invited seminar speaker (with Rachel Williss) at the National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research Seminar Series hosted by USDA-ARS Sustainable Water Management Research Unit and Mississippi State University, April 3 2024.
- “Understanding Ogallala Region Cross-Cutting Risk: Water, Climate, and the Economy.” Invited panelist at the 2024 Ogallala Summit, March 18-19 2024, Liberal, KS.
2023
- "Food security and climate change.” Invited guest lecture, virtual, Oct 4 2023, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
- “Irrigation’s role in sustaining value and mitigating risk.” Invited panelist at the Irrigation Association webinar, July 26 2023, Lincoln, NE.
- “Water markets: Groundwater transfers in Nebraska.” Invited guest speaker at the Nebraska Water Leaders Academy, July 14 2023, Scottsbluff, NE.
- “From policies to practice: Solutions to strengthen global to localdrought risk management.” Invited panelist at the Water for Food Global Conference, May 8 2023, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Lincoln, NE.
- “Environmental Roundtable.” Invited panelist at the student government event, April 26 2023, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- “Science & Innovation: Future of Water.” Presenter and moderator for the Earth Day Spring Digital Meeting, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action, April 20 2023, Lincoln, NE.
2022
- “Using incentive-based management tools to help achieve groundwater sustainability goals.” Invited seminar speaker at the Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Series, Nov 18 2022, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- “How does Nebraska’s water policy compare to other regions in the US?” Invited guest speaker at the Nebraska Water Leaders Academy, Nov 17 2022, Nebraska City, NE.
- “Ag irrigation's role in risk and sustainable water management.” Virtual workshop co-organizer and co-facilitator. Irrigation Innovation Consortium, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, National Drought Mitigation Center, Nov 9 2022, Lincoln, NE.
- “Agricultural water risk. Sustainability-linked finance in agriculture.” Selected presentation at the Conservation Finance Roundtable, Nov 3 2022, Durham, NC.
- “Agricultural groundwater transfers in the High Plains.” Selected presentation at the Sustain Valencia 2022 conference, Oct 8 2022, Valencia, Spain.
2021
- "State of local water markets in agriculture: a Nebraska case study." Invited panelist at virtual Water for Food Global Forum, Oct 28 2021, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Lincoln, NE.
- "Experiences using economic incentives to support the Platte River ecosystem." Virtual workshop organizer and facilitator, April 8 2021, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Lincoln, NE.
- "Increasing representation one step at a time." Presentation about the Diversity & Inclusion Committee's work at the School of Natural Resources Winter Seminar Series, Jan 28 2021, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Selected External Support:
- USDA support of the US Drought Monitor and Hub Activities, M. Svoboda (PI), B. Fuchs, R. Rimšaitė, D. Bathke, T. Haigh, C. Knutson, T. Mieno, K. Smith, T. Tadesse, USDA-OCE, $1,275,000; 2023-2024.
- Health and economic impact analysis of nitrate contamination of groundwater in Nebraska, R. Rimšaitė (PI) and Jayasekera, D.H.(co-PI), College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, $100,000; 2022-2024.
- USDA support for enhancements to the US Drought Monitor and engaging the USDA climate hubs, M. Svoboda (PI), B. Fuchs, Bathke, T. Haigh, C. Knutson, T. Mieno, R. Rimšaitė, K. Smith, T. Tadesse, B. Wardlow, USDA-OCE, $1,325,000; 2022-2023.
- Economics-related assistance for water resource projects, R. Rimšaitė, (PI), N. Brozović, and M. Svoboda, Headwaters Corporation, $30,100; 2022.
- Supporting enhancements to the US Drought Monitor, B. Fuchs (PI), M. Svoboda, D. Bathke, T. Haigh, C. Knutson, T. Mieno, R. Rimšaitė, K. Smith, T. Tadesse, B. Wardlow, USDA-OCE, $1,275,000; 2021-2022.
- Assessment of water markets, N. Brozović (PI), R. Rimšaitė, A. Chandra, K. Gibson, [multinational company], $47,400; 2021.
- Economics-related assistance for water resource projects, R. Rimšaitė, (PI), N. Brozović, and M. Svoboda, Headwaters Corporation, $24,200; 2021.
Selected Professional Development, Awards, Media Coverage:
Professional Development, Mentoring, Board Engagement
- Conservation Finance Boot Camp, Conservation Finance Network, Yale School of the Environment, 2023.
- Nebraska Water Leaders Academy Class X, 2021.
COOKIE USAGE:
The University of Nebraska System uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By clicking "I Agree" and/or continuing to use this website without adjusting your browser settings, you accept the use of cookies.