Dr. Maria Diuk-Wasser is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University. Maria has strong expertise in vector-borne disease mapping and modeling climate and other environmental drivers of human disease risk. A current focus of her lab is the role of urbanization and land use change on the ecology and evolution of tick and mosquito-borne pathogens.

Jalisa is the Research Analyst at the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA). At NYC-EJA she leads their Waterfront Justice Project, a citywide community-based resiliency campaign to address climate change impacts in NYC’s industrial waterfront while promoting local industrial jobs. Her other work includes research and advocacy related to air quality, green infrastructure, and extreme heat to promote equitable environmental conditions in NYC communities. Jalisa has an MPH in Environmental Health Sciences from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health with a certificate in Climate Change and Human Health.

Since 2003, Dr. Yasmin Meah has served the home-bound of Manhattan as an attending physician of the Visiting Doctors Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. In addition, she co-founded and directs the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership, the student-run attending-directed free clinic for the uninsured. In 2007, she became the youngest recipient of the AAMC Humanism in Medicine Award.

Thaddeus is the Managing Director of the Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes and also a Research Scholar and Adjunct Associate Professor of Urban Design and Urban Planning at Columbia University. He planned for disasters at the NYC Office of Emergency Management, worked to reduce the likelihood and impact of disasters at the NYC Department of City Planning, and then helped New York City recover from Hurricane Sandy at the Office of the Mayor.

Cyrus is a graduate student at NYU's Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP). His work focuses on data-driven approaches to urban design decision making. Prior to NYU, Cyrus was a Geospatial Analyst and Web Developer working in technology and real estate (Apple & CBRE). He holds his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.

As an architect and long-time resident of NYC, Eileen is dedicated to thoughtful design promoting a resilient, equitable and diverse city. She works on affordable and supportive housing at Dattner Architects, where she also leads the Urban Infrastructure subcommittee of Dattner’s Sustainable Practice Group. Eileen is a registered architect, a LEED AP, and she holds an M.Arch I from Columbia University.

Gregory is a Senior Analyst for NYCT’s Capital Program Management Division. He has played an integral role in the successful construction and design of multi-million dollar projects such as the rehabilitation and mitigation of the Canarsie Tube and South Ferry Terminal. Gregory has a strong passion for public service and has participated in numerous volunteer efforts in both economic development and community disaster preparedness in his local community of Staten Island.

Catherine is a registered architect with 3XN Architects working on urban scale and commercial and residential projects. Previously, Catherine worked at FXCollaborative Architects. Her design research focuses on developing intersectional and speculative design processes to address adaptability and resilience in the built environment as well as equity in urban space. As an educator, she has developed and taught curriculum focused on adaptive structural system, encouraging speculative and innovative design thinking.

Amritha is an urban designer at the NYC Department of City Planning. Her work entails advocating for the highest standards of urban design and a quality public realm. She was previously part of the agency’s climate resilience team, contributing to City initiatives that aimed to support the continued vitality and resiliency of New York City’s coastal communities. Amritha holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University GSAPP.

Kathy is an architectural designer with Grimshaw Architects working on large- scale infrastructure projects. She is interested in working closely with communities to develop grassroots approaches to resiliency. She received a BA from Wellesley College and an M.Arch from Tulane University.

Jill is an urban planner committed to justice-oriented design and policy. She currently manages public-private partnerships and waterfront development projects at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Jill received her Masters in Urban Planning from the Harvard Graduate School of Design where she used interdisciplinary studios to explore planning for climate and social resilience.