Dr. Steinman received his B.S. from the University of Vermont, his M.S. from the University of Rhode Island, and his Ph.D. from Oregon State University. His postdoctoral research was conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Steinman has given presentations around the world, is the author of over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters, has received over $40 million dollars in grants, and has testified before the US Congress and the Florida and Michigan legislatures. He is the co-editor of the Journal of the North American Benthological Society, and a partial listing of his civic and professional services includes: the Green Infrastructure Leadership Council of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, the Board of Directors of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan, Michigan's Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council, Minnesota Sea Grant Science Advisory Panel, Water Environment Research Federation's stormwater management exploratory team, and U.S. Congress' Sustainable Water Resources Roundtable,. He also has served on review panels for the US Geological Survey, National Science Foundation, and US-EPA, and is a Michigan Water Fellow.