Dr. Joy Semien is an Environmental Hazards and Community Resilience Scholar from Geismar, Louisiana—a fenceline community in the heart of “Cancer Alley.” Her firsthand experience with industrial pollution sparked a lifelong commitment to environmental justice and community preparedness. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Dillard University, a master's in urban planning and environmental policy from Texas Southern University, and a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Sciences from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Semien is the former Chief of Staff at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, Regional Administrator, and the author of over 25 books focused on education, disaster preparedness, and equity. Through her work, she bridges research and practice—developing tools, training, and strategies that help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from environmental hazards. She has shared her work nationally and internationally, including at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt and the International Sociological Association Conference in Australia.

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