Jennifer Dunn

Jennifer Dunn is a Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University, with a courtesy appointment in Mechanical Engineering. She serves as Director of the Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience and Associate Director of the Northwestern-Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on sustainability, energy systems, and environmental impacts of emerging technologies such as hydrogen, biofuels, and nutrient recovery. Dunn leads the Systems Analysis Research Group, applying techno-economic, life-cycle, and materials flow analyses to evaluate low-carbon technologies and circular economy strategies.

Education includes a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, an M.S.E. in Sustainable Chemical Engineering Systems from the University of Michigan, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University.

Her research interests span sustainable mineral supply chains, water treatment innovations, and decarbonization pathways. Recent work emphasizes methane reduction strategies, critical mineral policy, and circular nitrogen economies. Dunn has contributed to National Academies committees and serves as an Associate Editor for the SAE International Journal of Sustainable Transportation.

Labs/Teams: Dunn Lab, Center for Engineering Sustainability and Resilience, and the Northwestern-Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering.