Read this month's Student Feature!

Learn more about the Environmental Division's Student Feature!

Dr. Sandra Cutts

University of Alabama at Birmingham

1) Tell us about yourself.

I have always been an advocate of environmental and social justice and my research included: phytoremediation, environmental stressors, nuclear energy, sustainable development, policy effectiveness, citizens’ participation, and hazardous waste. My research contributed to the growing need to investigate and justify emerging technologies and alternative, clean, and efficient energy sources. As a 2019-2020 National Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, I worked on environmental policy issues in the U.S. Senate and currently, I am assisting AIChE’s Environmental Division section leader - Dr. Peters with research activities for the Environmental Division Programming Section on Legislation and Regulations. As an awarded 2021-2022 Fulbright Scholar, I will continue environmental research at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece. I am a 2020 PhD Environmental (Civil) Engineering graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (dissertation entitled: Brownfield Redevelopments in Birmingham, Alabama: An Evaluation Of The Role Of Citizen Participation Utilizing The Framework Of Arnstein’s Ladder), have an MBA from the University of Chicago and both an M.S. in Environmental Planning/Urban & Regional Studies and a B.S. in Mathematics from Alabama A&M University.

2) How did you first become interested in the environmental field of chemical engineering?

As an undergraduate at Alabama A&M University, I was involved with research activities related to DDT contamination of a river located in a marginalized community in Triana, Alabama. This work exposed me to the impact of anthropogenic activities in the degradation of the environment, become an active researcher to be part of the solution.

3) Can you describe your research? Publications? 

My recent research efforts have been in the remediation and characterization of environmental stressors, e.g., brownfields. My recent manuscripts deal with analyzing redeveloped sites in order to determine factors likely to encourage citizen engagement, stakeholders’ investment, and redevelopment of brownfields. My manuscripts have been submitted to journals and are currently ‘in review.’

4) What are the most important contributions you have made in the field?

As a black woman, having the honor of serving as a role model and mentor for other women and minority STEM students and contributing to outreach activities, are the most important contributions that I have made to date.

5) How did the AIChE Environmental Division benefit your career?

AIChE Environmental Division provided me with the opportunity to network with like minds, given me a platform to present my research and exposed me to a wealth of sustainable remediation solutions to mitigate environmental degradation.

6) Can you share some advice for other students in the AIChE Environmental Division?

Be open to all opportunities, receive and accept critique with grace, contribute to the betterment of the environment, be part of the solution and not be focused on financial gain at the expense of the environment.

7) In your opinion, what are some new initiatives or opportunities that the Environmental Division can provide for student members?

AIChE’s Environmental Division could benefit from promoting/encouraging research from a more holistic, equitable, social lens.