Fernanda Cruz Rios, PhD

Cruz Rios is an expert on engineering, architecture and urban planning practices that support environmental sustainability, resilience and equitability in the built environment. She can discuss the role of design in social justice and the environment – from how planning decisions affect vulnerable communities, to the impact of prioritizing fair labor practices and reusable building materials in construction.

Her research centers principles of social and environmental science in the practices of engineering, planning and architecture. Cruz Rios has published and presented extensively on the emerging concept of circular economy, which asks engineers, planners and designers to rethink the take-make-waste economy and consider the long-term social, environmental and economic impact of products and buildings over their life cycle. This investigation looks at the potential benefits of sharing and leasing; repairing and refurbishing existing buildings and building products; and using salvaged materials or materials that are designed to be reused.

In addition to her work in circular economy and social justice, Cruz Rios has conducted research on the barriers to inclusion in engineering — publishing on the need for gender-specific occupational safety analyses, and the challenges faced by Native American students in engineering.

Cruz Rios holds degress in architecture and urban planning from Universidad Federal da Bahia (Brazil); civil, environmental and sustainable engineering from the Arizona State University; and is a native speaker of Portuguese.