Jenna Jambeck, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Georgia, was named the 2024 SEC Professor of the Year on Thursday for her decades of work investigating the global scale of plastic pollution and galvanizing efforts to address solid waste and marine debris.
The award is given annually to one SEC faculty member whose record of teaching and research places him or her among the elite in higher education. Winners are selected by the SEC provosts from among the 14 SEC Faculty Achievement Award recipients.
“The University of Georgia is extremely proud of Dr. Jambeck not only for providing a better understanding of one of the world’s most pressing challenges but also for translating her research into workable solutions that will benefit all of society,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “I am grateful to the Southeastern Conference for recognizing her global impact with this distinguished and well-deserved award.”
Jambeck, who is also a Regents’ Professor of Environmental Engineering in UGA’s College of Engineering, founded the Circularity Informatics Lab in UGA’s New Materials Institute and serves as a National Geographic Explorer.
A renowned expert in a field that did not even exist 20 years ago, Jambeck has garnered more than $6 million in research grants, with collaborators around the globe.
Her work is supported by a diverse set of entities, including the United Nations, the World Bank, U.S. government agencies, foundations (both U.S. and international), nongovernmental organizations and the private sector. Jambeck has conducted public environmental diplomacy as an International Informational Speaker for the U.S. Department of State since 2017.
“The global impact of Dr. Jambeck’s research and her dedication to empowering communities through citizen science are remarkable,” said S. Jack Hu, UGA’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Her commitment to the next generation as a teacher and mentor truly sets her apart.”
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