Dr. Lisa Wainger

Dr. Lisa Wainger is a research professor of environmental economics and decision science at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Her childhood in Silver Spring, Maryland introduced her to diverse global perspectives on the effects of government actions on people and sparked a lifelong passion to promote fair and effective environmental policies in Maryland and beyond. She has over 25 years of experience in evaluating the costs, benefits and risks of environmental restoration and collaborates with many government agencies and communities to improve the performance of environmental programs. As one example, in her decades-long collaboration with the Port of Baltimore, she has engaged with Baltimore communities to learn about their concerns and objectively analyze the effects of operations and restoration plans on communities and businesses to promote shared solutions. Other collaborations with interested parties across Maryland have influenced oyster restoration, stormwater programs and wetland mitigation. Recent work has included analyzing how government flood risk mitigation programs can include social vulnerability in prioritization, using an evidence-based approach. She serves on numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations’ science advisory boards including the California Delta Independent Science Board and the US Army’s Environmental Advisory Board. She previously served as chair for the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC). Her full publication record can be found at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lisa-Wainger