Debra Laefer

Prof. Debra Laefer is a Full Professor at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, holding dual affiliations in the Civil and Urban Engineering Department and the Center for Urban Science + Progress. Her interdisciplinary career spans geotechnical engineering, urban informatics, and historic preservation, with a focus on integrating advanced technologies like LiDAR and remote sensing into community-driven solutions for urban challenges.

She earned degrees from Columbia University (BS, BA), the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (MS, PhD), and NYU (MEng). Her research has been funded by prestigious grants including a €1.5M ERC award, and she serves on Ireland's Research Council. Notable achievements include pioneering computational strategies for big geospatial data and being honored in the Royal Irish Academy's 'Women on Walls' initiative.

Her work bridges technical innovation and societal values, addressing flood risk communication, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable urban development. Over 160 peer-reviewed publications and 4 patents reflect her impactful contributions to urban science and engineering.