Deb A. Niemeier

Ph.D., The University of Washington, 1994
B.S., The University of Texas at Austin, 1982

Deb Niemeier is a distinguished civil engineer known for her work in identifying and addressing inequities in the built environment. Her research focuses on environmental pollutants and their disproportionate impact on disadvantaged communities, driven by a childhood experience in El Paso where she observed the harmful effects of industrial pollution crossing the Rio Grande River. This early exposure to environmental injustice has fueled her commitment to using engineering as a tool for promoting equity.

Niemeier's academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by a doctorate from the University of Washington. Her career includes significant roles at the University of California, Davis, where she was Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and Director of the John Muir Institute. In 2019, she joined the University of Maryland, College Park, as the Clark Distinguished Chair of Sustainability and Director of the Center for Disaster Resilience.

Her research has had a profound impact on policy, providing data to link vehicle emissions and pollutants to health issues such as heart disease and asthma. This work has helped shape state and federal regulations aimed at reducing environmental health disparities. Beyond infrastructure, Niemeier has applied her expertise to studying COVID-19 spread and human trafficking networks, demonstrating her wide-ranging impact on pressing global issues.

Niemeier's contributions extend beyond technical expertise; she embodies creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, empathy, and a deep commitment to justice. Her recognition includes membership in the National Academy of Engineering and the American Philosophical Society, as well as being a Guggenheim Fellow. Her career exemplifies the integration of engineering with advocacy for social and environmental justice.