Anne (Nancy) Degnan, Ph.D.

Anne (Nancy) Degnan, Ph.D., is an Associate Research Scientist for the Water Center, Columbia University and the Fu School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The Water Center addresses six critical areas of research including: America’s Water, Global Floods Initiatives, Data Analytics, Multiscale Predictions, Risk and Financial Instruments, and the Water-Food-Energy Nexus. In her role, Nancy serves as a co-Principal Investigator for a multi-year National Science Foundation grant (#2048958) in data science and water security entitled Engaging Young Black and Latino Men in Data Science Through Water Security: America’s Water Education (AWE). Working with the students and teachers at the Eagle Academy for the Young Men of Harlem, NY, AWE’s goals are to: i) Break through the persistent barriers facing Black and Latino men in STEM education, generally, and in careers in data science for water security, specifically; ii) contribute to diversity and equity for America’s future STEM workforce comprising the problem-solving professionals who can address the complexities of water security; and, iii.) likewise, contribute to reversing the prevailing injustices found way too often in communities of color -- the absence of safe, clean abundant water.

Prior to her role in the Water Center, Nancy was the Director, Academic Initiatives for the Earth Institute, Columbia University as well as the Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation, also of the Earth Institute. Outside of her work at Columbia, Nancy has consulted with nonprofit and public sector organizations domestically and internationally including the: Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, the National Science Foundation, The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, The Doris Duke Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, The New York City Department of Education, The Kentucky Technical and Community College System, Momentum Golf and Education Foundation, The Bridge Golf Foundation, and the Quaker Ridge Golf Club. Nancy serves on the board of the Reducetarian Foundation (see: https://www.reducetarian.org/).

Currently, Nancy is an adjunct professor in the School of International and Public Affairs, the MPA Program in Environmental Science and Policy. Nancy received her BA in International Relations (minor in Chemistry) from the College of New Rochelle, and her M.P.A. degree from the School of International and Public Affairs, and Ph.D. in Urban Planning, Columbia University.