Dr. Rachel Lamb currently serves as Senior Climate Advisor at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). In this work, she advises the Secretary on climate change strategy, including integrated science, policy, and finance solutions that integrate mitigation and adaptation action to build more equitable and resilient Maryland communities. Rachel also provides leadership support for interagency and cross-jurisdictional climate action, with a special focus on natural climate solutions.

Rachel earned her PhD in Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland College Park, where her research centered on the applications of NASA Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) forest carbon science to advance strategic climate mitigation planning with co-benefits for biodiversity and human livelihoods. Between 2020-2023, Rachel led the Campus Forest Carbon project, helping the University of Maryland better incorporate forest carbon science into their Climate Action Plan, Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and innovative peer-verified offset program.

In 2022, Rachel was appointed an Adjunct Assistant Professor within the Department of Geographical Sciences and currently serves as a member of several doctoral student advisory committees. She also remains a research collaborator on ongoing NASA CMS projects with Science Team Lead Dr. George Hurtt.

Areas of Interest

  • natural and working lands policy
  • climate change policy
  • conservation and development
  • forest carbon monitoring
  • strategic reforestation
  • coupled human-natural systems
CV: Lamb_CV_01.06.24.pdf379.12 KB

Degrees

  • Degree Type
    Ph.D.
    Degree Details
    Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park
  • Degree Type
    M.S.
    Degree Details
    Sustainable Development & Conservation Biology, University of Maryland, College Park
  • Degree Type
    M.P.P.
    Degree Details
    Public Policy (Environmental Policy), University of Maryland, College Park
  • Degree Type
    B.A.
    Degree Details
    International Relations, Wheaton College (IL)
  • Degree Type
    B.S.
    Degree Details
    Environmental Studies, Wheaton College (IL)

Primary Investigator

Current Students

Former Students

Dr. Rachel Lamb
Email
rachlamb [at] umd.edu