Education

• BA, 2005, Dual Degrees in Biology and Political Science, Tulane University
• PhD, 2011, Conservation Biology, University of New Orleans

Biography

Dr. Kimberly Terrell is a Research Scientist and the Director of Community Engagement at the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic (New Orleans, Louisiana). She has broad expertise related to environmental issues, including in public health, statistics, and air monitoring. Her current work focuses on the intersection of science and environmental regulation, particularly with respect to underserved communities. In her role at the Clinic, she provides technical assistance to students, attorneys, community members and others working on environmental issues. Much of her work focuses on addressing knowledge gaps in environmental health. For example, she recently published the first peer-reviewed study to identify toxic air pollution as a contributing factor to Louisiana’s disproportionately high cancer burden. Dr. Terrell also works to promote science literacy among environmental decision-makers in Louisiana, particularly with respect to the precautionary principle and the challenges of identifying adverse health outcomes in small populations. She has provided expert testimony on environmental issues to the U.S. Congress Subcommittee on the Environment and to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

Dr. Terrell is a recipient of the 2023 Pro Bono Staff Award from the Association of American Law Schools, as well as a 2011 alumna of the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program, and a 2005 recipient of the Tulane Environmental Stewardship Award. She serves on the Science Advisory Board for the Center for Applied Environmental Science and is adjunct faculty in the Department of Biology at the University of Memphis and the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University. She recently joined the Tulane Cancer Center's Population Sciences and Prevention Program as a Contributing Member.