Environmental Protection Specialist, FHWA Office of Natural Environment
B.S. EAS 2004; M.S. GT City & Regional Planning 2009
D'Onofrio
David
Federal Highway Administration
Atlanta, Georgia
Please briefly describe your current job
Environmental Protection Specialist with Federal Highway Administration. I work in the Office of Natural Environment. I work on transportation decarbonization and climate resilience. I'm the staff lead for the $6.5 billion Carbon Reduction Program.
What is your favorite part of your current position
My job helps bridge the divide between public administration and the environment. I really enjoy making sure environmental impacts are considered as part of the transportation decision-making process. I'm passionate about climate change mitigation and adapting our cities to extreme weather impacts.
How did your EAS education prepare you for your current job?
Most importantly, EAS gave me a solid background in the scientific process which improved my critical thinking skills. My job involves transportation emissions modeling and knowledge about atmospheric chemistry has been helpful there as well. Research experience I had as an undergrad helped develop a foundation of methodologies that I still use today to work on climate change related projects. A solid foundation of the atmosphere/earth system has helped in communicating climate change impacts.
What do you wish you had known as an EAS undergraduate in order to land the job of your dreams?
I think the world needs many more people that can serve as scientific interpreters; helping to ensure science-based decision-making is operationalized across all levels of governments. I decided to go into the public sector, where I could apply science to help inform decision-making after obtaining a Masters in City Planning.