Mr. Bozeman is a Ph.D. candidate in the Institute for Environmental Science and Policy working under the Director, Dr. Thomas L. Theis. His current research focuses on climate change adaptation as it relates to the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus. Specifically, he explores how U.S. food consumption patterns, FEW resource use, and climate change adaptation interplay with demographic and socio-economic factors in urban and peri-urban environments. He also has industry experience as an energy and environmental engineer. As a practitioner, he oversees cross-disciplinary, interagency groups aimed at reducing natural resource use and greenhouse gas emissions - all while complying with pertinent regulations.
Position: Ph.D. Candidate/Researcher, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
Degrees: M.S. in Engineering (Renewable and Clean Energy); B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Joe F.’s main research interest areas:
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Nexus
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Probabilistic Modeling (e.g., machine learning and agent-based modeling)
- Renewable and Clean Energy
Joe F.’s favorite cities and why:
One of my favorite cities is Durban, South Africa. I love the year-round tropical climate, the solid stone and brick housing styles, and how it is close to the ocean. I also really enjoy good food that is flavorful and spicy without being too salty. Durban has all of that and then some - not mention its close proximity to a large safari park. Miami, Florida is another city I enjoy for many of the same reasons - minus the access to see lions and elephants in the wild of course.
Joe F.’s thought on collaboration:
Mr. Bozeman believes that cross-disciplinary research teams will lead to the best climate change adaptation and FEW research outcomes. He welcomes collaboration, especially from those in diverse engineering and social science disciplines.
How Joe F. got interested in cities research and sustainability:
He has had interests in energy and environmental sustainability from childhood. His interests turned into a full passion after he began researching renewable and clean energy while in pursuit of his M.S. degree, and it was solidified as he worked in industry as an energy and environmental sustainability professional. His interests in cities began after taking a cities and sustainability course with Dr. Sybil Derrible at UIC while in pursuit of his Ph.D.
