RAND Expert Biography
Debra Knopman
Vice President, RAND Corporation; Director, RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment
Expertise
Water resources development and policy, energy and environment, nuclear waste, public administration
Recent Work
Impact of climate change and other uncertainties on long-term water resources management
Education
Ph.D. in geography and environmental engineering, Johns Hopkins University; M.S. in civil engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; B.A. in chemistry, Wellesley College
Publications of Interest
"The Challenge of Delivering Good Science to Decision Makers," Water Resources IMPACT, Vol. 8, No. 6, Nov 2006
From Flood Control to Integrated Water Resource Management: Lessons for the Gulf Coast from Flooding in Other Places in the Last Sixty Years, J. P. Kahan et al., RAND Corporation, 2006
Transferring Army BRAC Lands Containing Unexploded Ordnance: Lessons Learned and Options for the Future, Jacqueline MacDonald et al., RAND Corporation, 2004
Systems of Innovation Within Public and Private Organizations: Case Studies and Options for the EPA: Report, Debra Knopman et al., RAND Corporation, 2003
Background
As director of ISE, Knopman is responsible for research ranging from public safety, homeland security, and energy and the environment to science and technology, physical infrastructure, transportation, and space. From 1997 to 2003, she was a member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, which has oversight of the Yucca Mountain scientific and engineering program. She chaired the board's Site Characterization Panel. In addition, Knopman has held several positions in government. She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of the Interior, Chief of the Branch of Systems Analysis in the U.S. Geological Survey, professional staff member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and legislative assistant for energy and environmental issues to Senator Daniel P. Moynihan. Her research background is in hydrology, environmental and natural resources policy, systems analysis, and public administration.
Recent Media Appearances
Interviews: Congressional Quarterly; Environment and Energy Daily; Investor's Business Daily; Washington Post
Commentary: United Press International
To arrange an interview:
Contact the RAND Office of Media Relations, (703) 413-1100, x5117 or (310) 451-6913, or send an email to media@rand.org.
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