Jenna Jambeck

Jenna Jambeck is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Georgia College of Engineering. She is internationally recognized for her research on plastic pollution in oceans and co-developer of the Marine Debris Tracker app. Her work bridges environmental engineering, policy, and community engagement to address plastic waste at local and global scales.

Education: PhD (2004) and BS (1996) in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida. Previously, she was a Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Hampshire (2005–2009). Key roles include U.S. International Informational Speaker for environmental diplomacy, National Geographic Fellow (2018–2021), and leader of the Circularity Informatics Lab.

Research focuses on quantifying plastic pollution pathways, developing tools like the Circularity Assessment Protocol (CAP), and advancing equitable waste management solutions. Notable projects include studies on the Ganges and Mississippi Rivers, and collaborations in over 30 cities globally. Her work informs policy through platforms like the UN High-Level Panel for the Ocean and G7/G20 declarations.

Scientific awards include the MacArthur Fellowship (2022), SEC Professor of the Year (2024), and UGA Creative Research Medal. She actively communicates science through podcasts (Aquathread), public speaking, and interdisciplinary expeditions, such as the 2019 National Geographic Ganges River expedition.