Chandler Precht

Director of External Affairs & Communications, Graduate Programs in Sustainability Management & Science, Academic Affairs, Columbia Climate School; Lecturer in Professional Studies, Sustainability Management

Chandler Precht is the Director of External Affairs and Communications for the M.S. in Sustainability Management and M.S. in Sustainability Science programs, offered by the School of Professional Studies in partnership with Columbia Climate School’s Earth Institute. Ms. Precht is also an adjunct professor at the School of Professional Studies, teaching the Capstone Workshop in the Sustainability Management program.

Ms. Precht has a comprehensive background in environmental science centering on water quality and links between environmental chemistry and disease. Prior to joining Columbia in 2020, she served as a hydrogeologist and environmental consultant in PWGC’s Environmental Services unit, where she worked on various large-scale conservation, sustainability, and remediation projects in diverse markets.

At Columbia, Ms. Precht leads high-impact student recruitment via multi-channel campaigns and communications, oversees the Capstone Workshop, builds strategic partnerships, and advances sustainability-focused co-curricular programming. She expands hands-on experiential learning opportunities for students by securing site visits, managing client-driven consulting projects, and integrating real-world practice into the curriculum.

A former athlete, she has merged her sustainability and scientific expertise with her passion for sports — designing capstone projects (such as “Stadiums’ Impact: How Sports and Beer Can Change the World,” “The Blue and Green Game Plan: A Strategic Playbook for Advancing Water Stewardship and Enhancing Biodiversity in Sports,” and “Data to Decisions: Evaluating Quality, Correlation, and Reporting of the Sports for Climate Action Framework”), organizing and moderating sold-out Climate Week NYC events on sports and sustainability, and more. Her work in this emerging space seeks to leverage the influence of sports to promote sustainability practices and raise awareness about environmental issues. 

She holds a B.A. in Environmental Science and Spanish & Latin American Cultures, with a minor in Chemistry, from Columbia University. Ms. Precht also received her M.S. in Sustainability Science from Columbia University, where she was a multi-year recipient of the Sustainability Science Fellowship for academic excellence, professional merit, and commitment to sustainability science. She is currently pursuing another M.S. from Columbia University in Sports Management.

Publications

  • Blaustein, L., Feldman, M., Liivand, M., Ruiz, Z., & Precht, C.I. [moderator] (2025). Playing for the Planet: How Sports Can Champion Conservation and Climate Action [panel discussion]. Climate Week NYC, New York, NY, September 2025. https://sps.columbia.edu/news/playing-planet-sports-sustainability-and-climate-action
  • Monz, D., McGlinn, J., Parkhill, G., Melville, C., Henry, C., Henthorne, P., Murphy, C., Paramita, D., Kumaraswamy, V., Sashital, M., Dalton, T., Li, C., & Precht, C.I. [advisor] (2025). The Blue & Green Game Plan: A Strategic Playbook for Advancing Water Stewardship and Enhancing Biodiversity in Sports. M.S. Sustainability Management, Columbia University. https://www.sustainability.ei.columbia.edu/_files/ugd/92e3aa_9e860742811e47b0aecde5aec3e2dab4.pdf
  • Precht, C.I., Reese, K., & Carrick, R., (2025). The Research Behind the Madness [panel discussion]. Green Sports Alliance Reuse Symposium, Portland, OR, March 2025. https://www.greensportsalliance.org/event/reuse-symposium
  • Precht, W.F., Precht, C.I., & Modys, A. (2025). Lost in Translation: The Role of Coral Reefs in Shoreline Protection in South Florida. 38th National Conference on Beach Preservation Technology, Embassy Suites, Panama City Beach, Florida, February 5-7, 2025.
  • Reese, K., Giamella, A., Newbern, B., Carrick, R., Wiegand, C., Bajaj, A., Stadem, M., Sangadji, M., Mohammed, S., Swafford, M., Hagarty, A., Canney, N., Watanabe, N., Prostko, E., & Precht, C.I. [advisor] (2024). Stadiums' Impact: How Sports and Beer Can Change the World. M.S. Sustainability Management, Columbia University. https://www.sustainability.ei.columbia.edu/_files/ugd/92e3aa_1ecd2e70cc0943a1815a34c4a242ec6c.pdf
  • Precht, C.I. (2024). Sustainability Graduate Programs at Columbia University. Collegiate Webinar: Courses and Programs, Online, Green Sports Alliance, November 19, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-n81BQykgM
  • Precht, W.F., Precht, C.I., and Modys, A. (2024). Lost in Translation: The Role of Coral Reefs in Shoreline Protection in Florida. Abstract, ReeFLorida Meeting, Frost Museum of Science, Miami, FL, November 12-15, 2024.
  • Burakowski, E.A., Engerbretson, A., Mitchell, O., Nelson, R., Richter, M., & Precht, C.I. [moderator] (2024). Climate Action is a Team Sport: Winning with Sustainability [panel discussion]. Climate Week NYC, New York, NY, September 2024. https://sps.columbia.edu/news/teaming-sustainable-future-how-sports-can-bolster-climate-action
  • AlSagob, M., Diez, M., Ardelean, A., Simon, M., Lawrence, N., Rowe, J., Mihaylova, E., Slizovskaia, K., Farha, A., Gweon, D., Johnston, T., Kilburn, H., & Precht, C.I. [advisor] (2024). Navigating a Circular Economy Transition: Workforce Implications & Impacts on GHG Emissions. M.S. Sustainability Management, Columbia University. https://www.sustainability.ei.columbia.edu/_files/ugd/92e3aa_c2a97e471ff442c0991f57b4042b2be6.pdf
  • Precht, C.I. (2024). Lost in Translation: How to Turn Climate Knowledge into Climate Action. Climate Change: Resilience and Energy in the Niterói and Rio de Janeiro Regions - A Conversation on Climate Change and Urban Resilience, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 2024. https://spm.ei.columbia.edu/content/climate-change-resilience-and-energy-niteroi-and-rio-de-janeiro-regions
  • Legorreta, J., Viragh, A., Lippman, J., Chaves, L., Cho, R., Hodge, T., Li, H., Mehta, R., Pecorari, C., Potmesil, M., Rachman, G., Unat, L., Wang, H., & Precht, C.I. [advisor] (2023). Ocean Awareness & Sustainability: Hotel Engagement & Programming. M.S. Sustainability Management, Columbia University. https://www.sustainability.ei.columbia.edu/_files/ugd/35c83a_83bb8f86b39e4fb8b0269ac804d9913a.pdf
  • Bragg, L., & Precht, C.I. (2023). Conversations in Climate with Lucia Bragg and Chandler Precht [panel discussion]. Young Women’s Environmental Leadership Conference, The Spence School, New York, NY, May 20, 2023.
  • Csorba, L., George, J., Bennett, T., Teixeira, P., Von Mizener, N., Bhagwat, D., Agarwal, A., Powe, S., Russell, Z., Merino, A., Komaragiri, L., Feteiha, L., & Precht, C.I. [advisor] (2023). Sustainable Business Model for Coastal Resilience in South Florida. M.S. Sustainability Management, Columbia University. https://www.sustainability.ei.columbia.edu/_files/ugd/92e3aa_e758ff92da9b4398b2810f8ac60e9268.pdf
  • Precht, C.I. [moderator], Reilly, M., Malloy, K., Schmidt, M., Güney, K.M., Gencer, E., & Chandler, T. (2023). Response and Mitigation Strategies in the Face of Climate Change [panel discussion]. Consilience’s Annual Earth Day Summit, Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development, New York, NY, April 2023.
  • Ried, A., Hampton, A., Apelgren, N., Desai, A., Natsagdorj, N., James, E., Rufo, D., Reid, C., Ling, G., Chang, A., & Precht, C.I. [advisor] (2022). Environmental Stewardship in Florida Title I Students Through Coral Restoration Education. M.S. Sustainability Management, Columbia University. https://afddf8e8-2dfc-4526-9ba6-71e1899413f3.filesusr.com/ugd/0e3377_7605951cf0d24d2991561acc0ddde6b2.pdf
  • Ziegler, A., Precht, C.I., Fralick, J., Brown, I., Tervet, M., & Webb, K. (2020). Microplastics in the Hudson River: Identification of an Emerging Contaminant. Spring 2020 Capstone Workshop in Sustainability Science, M.S. Sustainability Science Program, Columbia University, New York, NY. https://www.science.ei.columbia.edu/capstone
  • Mailloux, B. J., Karaoz, U., Beller, H. R., Brodie, E. L., Wang, S., Jewell, T. N. M., Williams, K. H., Buchholz, B. A., Kim, C., Kichuk, T., Nguyen, K., & Precht, C.I. (2020). Geochemistry, RNA radiocarbon signature, and metatranscriptome data from Rifle, Colorado groundwater well. https://doi.org/10.15485/1647359
  • Mailloux, B. J., Kim, C., Kichuk, T., Nguyen, K., Precht, C. I., Wang, S., Jewell, T. N., Karaoz, U., Brodie, E. L., Williams, K. H., Beller, H. R., & Buchholz, B. A. (2019). Paired RNA radiocarbon and sequencing analyses indicate the importance of autotrophy in a shallow alluvial aquifer. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46663-1
  • Scanlan, K., Blau, S., Mailloux, B. J., Choudhury, I., van Geen, A., Precht, C. I., Ellis, T., Ahmed, K. M., & Buchholz, B. (2019) Radiocarbon analysis of RNA and organic carbon to determine the sustainability of Pleistocene aquifers in Bangladesh. Abstract #GH23B-1251 American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2019. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019AGUFMGH23B1251S/abstract
  • Precht, C.I. (2018) Radiocarbon Analysis of RNA Collected from Pleistocene Aquifers in Bangladesh. Abstract #4 Environmental Science Senior Thesis Poster Session, New York, NY
  • Precht, C.I., Precht, L.L., & Precht, W.F. (2018) Pox-like Blemishes on Caribbean Corals are Fish Induced: Is there a Link with Emerging Coral Diseases? Reef Encounter: The News Journal of the International Society for Reef Studies (Volume 33, No. 1, p. 49-51).
  • Precht, C.I. and Mailloux, B.J. (2017) Organic Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Cycling Genes Present in Bacterial Communities from Arsenic Contaminated Bangladesh Groundwater. Abstract #45 Barnard Summer Research Institute Poster Session, New York, NY
  • Precht, C.I. and Mailloux, B.J. (2016) Are You What You Eat? Radiocarbon Errors in Bacterial RNA Extractions. Abstract Barnard Summer Research Institute Poster Session, New York, NY
  • Precht, C.I. (2014) Unintended Consequences of Mosquito Pesticides on the Marine Environment: Potential Effects on theThreatened Staghorn Coral, Acropora cervicornis. Abstract #615 Genius Olympiad, Oswego, NY
  • Precht, C.I. (2014) Unintended Consequences of Mosquito Pesticides on the Marine Environment: Potential Effects on theThreatened Staghorn Coral, Acropora cervicornis. Abstract #AS038 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), Los Angeles, CA
  • Precht, C.I. (2013) Origin and Recovery of White Pox Lesions on the Threatened Elkhorn Coral, Acropora palmata, at Molasses Reef, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Abstract #703 Genius Olympiad, Oswego, NY
  • Precht, C.I. and Vollmer, S.V. (2013) The Spread and Progression of White Band Disease on the Threatened Staghorn Coral, Acroporacervicornis: Implications for Reef Management. 42nd Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting, Savannah, GA
  • Precht, C.I. (2013) Origin and Recovery of "White Pox" Lesions on the Threatened Elkhorn Coral, Acropora palmata at Molasses Reef,Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 77th Annual Meeting, Florida Academy Sciences, Barry University, Miami, FL, FloridaScientist (Volume 76, Supp. 1, p.27).
  • Precht, C.I. (2012) The Spread and Progression of White Band Disease on the Threatened Staghorn Coral, Acropora cervicornis:Implications for Reef Management. Florida Marine Science Educators Association (FMSEA), Annual Conference, St. Petersburg, FL

Programs