The Past, Present, and Sustainable Future of Our Infrastructural Networks
- Office of Sustainability
- College of Engineering
- Program for Women in Science and Engineering
- University Library
- Pat Miller Memorial Lecture Fund
- Committee on Lectures (funded by Student Government)
2025 Symposium on Sustainability Keynote
Dr. Deb Chachra, PhD, is a distinguished materials scientist and professor at Olin College of Engineering. She specializes in biological materials and infrastructure, with a keen interest in engineering education. Dr. Chachra is the author of the book How Infrastructure Works: Inside the Systems That Shape Our World (2023), which explores the intricate systems that underpin our daily lives.
Dr. Chachra earned her Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Materials Science from the University of Toronto. Her doctoral research focused on the influence of fluoride on bone quality, supervised by Marc Grynpas. She later conducted postdoctoral research at MIT, investigating how bone responds to aging and the shelf-life of bioprosthetic heart valves. At Olin College, Dr. Chachra has been a pioneer in developing student-centered learning experiences, emphasizing hands-on, design-focused courses. Her work aims to foster motivation and reflective practice among young technologists. She is also deeply involved in educational research, particularly in improving retention and diversity in engineering education for women and minority students.
Dr. Chachra has written for various publications, including The Atlantic and Nature, and maintains a popular newsletter called Metafoundry. Her work has been recognized with awards such as the NSF CAREER Award.
This lecture has been recorded and is available to view on the Available Recordings page.