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Sun Min
Director of Media Relations
Alyssa Vine
Associate Director of Media Relations
Stephanie L. Pfirman
Professor of Environmental Science
Alena Wels Hirschorn '58 and Martin Hirschorn Professor of Environmental and Applied Sciences
Chair of the Department of Environmental Science
Stephanie L. Pfirman, Professor of Environmental Science and Alena Wels Hirschorn '58 and Martin Hirschorn Professor of Environmental and Applied Sciences, joined the faculty of Barnard in 1993, and serves as Chair of Barnard's Department of Environmental Science. In addition, she is an Adjunct Research Scientist the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University.
Prior to joining Barnard, Professor Pfirman was a senior scientist at Environmental Defense Fund and co-developer of the exhibition, "Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast," produced jointly with the American Museum of Natural History.
As Chair of Barnard's Environmental Science Department, she has developed new courses in Polar Exploration, Climate, Energy Resources, Oceanography, and Data Analysis; revised the curriculum for majors; expanded the faculty; established links with related departments at Barnard and Columbia; acquired new instrumentation; and moved the department into renovated facilities. She has a strong commitment to strengthening undergraduate science education and a particular concern with the development of women scientists. Pfirman is also active in the area of interdisciplinary curriculum development.
The professor’s scientific research focuses on the Arctic environment, in particular on the nature and dynamics of Arctic sea ice and what sea ice can teach us about global pollution. She says that a reason for her special interest in the Arctic environment is that "an unusual combination of environmental conditions in the Arctic exacerbates climate change, ozone depletion, and deposition of pollutants."
Professor Pfirman is a member of the National Academy of Sciences Polar Research Board, and is President-elect of the Council of Environmental Deans and Directors. She served as the first Chair of the National Science Foundation’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education. In this role, she oversaw analysis of a 10-year outlook for environmental research and education at NSF. She has also served as Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Office of Polar Programs at the NSF.
Selected Publications
"A Metacognitive Pedagogy: The River Summer Project," with L. K. Son and T. Kenna, College Quarterly Vol. 10, No. 2 (Spring 2007).
“Women in Interdisciplinary Science: Exploring Preferences and Consequences,” with D. Rhoten, Research Policy Vol. 36, No. 1 (2007): 56–75.
“The Frontlines of Interdisciplinary Education: Environmental Programs at Liberal Arts Colleges,” with S. Hal, and T. Tietenberg, Environmental Science and Technology, Viewpoint section, Vol. 39, No. 10 (2005): 221A–224A.
“Collaborative efforts: Promoting interdisciplinary scholars,” with J.P. Collins, S. Lowes, and A. F. Michaels, Chronicle of Higher Education Vol. 51, No. 23 (February 11, 2005).
"An Experiment in Institutional Transformation: The NSF ADVANCE Program for Women at the Earth Institute at Columbia University," with R. Bell, J. Laird, J. Mutter, R. Balstad, and M. Cane, Oceanography: Special Issue: Women in Oceanography Vol. 18, No. 1 (March 2005).
“Drifting Arctic sea ice archives changes in ocean surface conditions,” with W. Haxby, H. Eicken, M. Jeffries, D. Bauch, Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 31, L19401 (2004).
“Variability in Arctic sea ice drift,” with W. F. Haxby, R. Colony, and I. Rigor, Geophysical Research Letters Vol. 31, L16402 (2004).
Complex Environmental Systems: Synthesis for Earth, Life and Society in the 21st Century, with the AC-ERE, report summarizing a 10-year outlook in environmental research and education for the National Science Foundation (2003).212.854.5120
EDUCATION:
BA, Colgate
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
RELATED LINKS:
Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory
SPECIALIZATIONS:
Arctic environment
Improvement of science education