Shakira Hobbs

Shakira Hobbs is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine. Her research focuses on global sustainability, resource recovery from anthropogenic waste, and life cycle assessment approaches to engineering equity at the food-energy-water nexus.

Her work integrates environmental engineering with social justice frameworks, particularly through community-engaged research on pesticide transport, bioplastic waste management, and bioenergy recovery systems. She has developed analytical methods for quantifying agricultural contaminants like glyphosate in groundwater systems.

Scientific contributions:

• Published extensively on life cycle assessment of bioplastics
• Explored methane production optimization from organic waste
• Advocated for inclusive STEM practices through ADVANCE SPACES program
• Investigated environmental justice implications in tropical watersheds

Dr. Hobbs' research has practical applications in developing sustainable waste management systems for both urban and rural communities, with particular relevance to small-scale developing community solutions.