Draft:Jeannie Darby

Jeannie Darby is an esteemed engineer and professor at the University of California, Davis, specializing in Civil and Environmental Engineering. She has not only received numerous awards, including the National Society of Professional Engineers, Engineering Education Excellence Award, but has also been instrumental in supporting women is the STEM field.

Education
Her academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Rice University in 1978, followed by a Master of Science degree from Tufts University in 1982. She then pursued her passion for research and education at the University of Texas, Austin, where she earned her Ph.D. in 1988, focusing on environmental engineering.

Career
Upon completing her doctoral studies, Dr. Darby joined the faculty at UC Davis in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Over the years, she has been dedicated to educating and inspiring students in the field of water treatment, covering topics ranging from water quality management to sustainable infrastructure design. Dr. Darby's contributions to engineering education and research have garnered national recognition. Her groundbreaking work on UV disinfection has significantly advanced our understanding of water treatment processes, earning her prestigious awards such as the inaugural UC Davis College of Engineering Outstanding Teaching Award and the Engineering Education Excellence Award from the National Society of Professional Engineers (See "Awards and Honors"). Beyond her academic endeavors, Dr. Darby is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering. As a founding member of the Center for Women in Engineering at UC Davis, she has championed initiatives to support women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields. In addition to her teaching and advocacy efforts, Dr. Darby has held various leadership roles within the university. From 2004 to 2009, she served as Department Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering, overseeing departmental operations and fostering a collaborative research environment. She also held the prestigious Gerald T. and Lillian P. Orlob Professorship in Water Resources Engineering from 2005 to 2010, further solidifying her expertise in the field. In her latest appointment, Dr. Darby has been selected as the new associate dean for academic personnel and planning, effective September 13, 2022. In this role, she will provide strategic direction and support for academic personnel initiatives, ensuring excellence in teaching, research, and service across the university. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Dr. Darby continues to lead impactful research projects aimed at addressing pressing environmental challenges. Her current research focuses on investigating the impact of competing contaminants, such as phosphate, vanadium, and silica, on the efficacy of iron-based adsorbents for arsenic removal from groundwater. She is also actively involved in evaluating innovative technologies for nitrate removal from drinking water sources, with a particular emphasis on assisting small water systems in California. One of Dr. Darby's recent endeavors involves leading a field-scale demonstration project to validate consolidated management strategies for nitrate removal in small disadvantaged water systems in the San Joaquin Valley. Through her multidisciplinary approach and collaborative efforts, Dr. Darby continues to make significant contributions to the advancement of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the broader community.

Awards and Honors
• 1996-1997 Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award

• 2001 American Society of Engineering Education, Sharon Keillor Award

• 2001 Nat'l Soc. of Professional Engineers, Engineering Education Excellence Award

• 2004 College of Engineering, Outstanding Teaching Award

• 2005-10 Gerald T. and Lillian P. Orlob Professor of Water Resources Engineering

• 2010 University of Texas CAEE Academy of Distinguished Alumni

• 2011 Water Environment Federation William W. Edgar Pioneer Award, UV Disinfection

• 2017 AWWA Small Systems Division Best Paper Award

• 2018 UC Davis Academic Senate Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Award