New U of A postdoctoral researcher uses satellite data to examine climate risks in U.S. prisons

The University of Arizona has named Ufuoma Ovienmhada, an MIT-trained engineer and environmental justice advocate, as the recipient of the Endowed Postdoctoral Research Associate in Climate Change and Human Resiliency, a position made possible by a $4 million anonymous gift announced in 2023 as part of the university’s Fuel Wonder campaign.

Thanks to the funding by the generous, anonymous donors the scholarship and study of pressing global challenges in climate science and human resiliency is elevated. Their gift supports two-year postdoctoral fellowships focused on growing the pipeline of scholars dedicated to tackling climate and environmental challenges through science. Ovienmhada’s interdisciplinary research, drawing on her background in engineering and recent Ph.D. in aeronautics, aims to advance environmental justice, with a particular focus on how climate change impacts the U.S. prison system.

"Dr. Ovienmhada’s work will bring critical insights to the intersection of climate change and environmental justice among one of society’s most overlooked populations. The way she is leveraging geospatial data will not only shape academic discourse, but real-world advocacy and policy. We are very fortunate to have her here,” said Elliott Cheu, associate vice president of research centers and institutes.

Ovienmhada’s work addresses the heightened risks posed to prisons by extreme weather events, which have intensified due to climate change. Many prisons are situated in vulnerable areas and lack adequate emergency evacuation or response plans, leaving incarcerated individuals at increased risk. 

Using satellite imagery and environmental data, Ovienmhada will analyze the locations and conditions of these facilities to assess their exposure to disasters and other environmental hazards. The findings will be shared with advocacy groups and organizations to help develop strategies for improved safety and resilience for this often-overlooked population.

“Dr. Ufuoma Ovienmhada’s expertise in both quantitative and qualitative geospatial science, along with her dedication to strengthening climate resilience in under-resourced communities, makes her a truly deserving recipient of this endowed postdoctoral position,” said Sharon Collinge, director of U of A’s Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR).

“This is the benefit of being interdisciplinary,” said Ovienmhada. “An engineer might say we have to build stronger prisons, while a social scientist might advocate for changing our relationship to and perceived need for prisons altogether. Both perspectives are valuable, and integrating them allows us to create transformative solutions.”

The inaugural postdoctoral research associate, Magda Garbowski, studied traits of native plants to identify which species are best suited for ecological restoration in the arid Southwest, aiming to enhance plant survival and ecosystem stability. Garbowski has since become an assistant professor of restoration ecology at New Mexico State University.

“The transition from graduating with a PhD to a career in academia research can be very challenging,” said Garbowski. “Fellowships like this are incredibly important for keeping people—especially those from diverse backgrounds—in science.”

Ovienmhada has found a supportive community within the School of Geography, Development & Environment, which is housed in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her faculty mentor is Beth Tellman, assistant professor in the school. 

Ovienmhada enjoys how faculty celebrate each other's achievements with school-wide emails and personal congratulatory notes: “That feeling of camaraderie has been incredibly welcoming.” 

“This fellowship is giving me a springboard into the rest of my professional career,” Ovienmhada said. “I can focus on my research which both expands my repertoire and broadens the horizons of what people can expect of me.”