Rachel A. Meidl, LP.D., CHMM, is the fellow in energy and sustainability and the deputy director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute. She also serves as a strategic advisor on circular economy for MSCI, Inc. Her research focuses on sustainability, circular economy, life cycle management, and understanding the environmental, economic, and social impacts across energy and material supply chains. 

Meidl was previously appointed deputy associate administrator for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Prior to her government service, she was director of regulatory and technical affairs at the American Chemistry Council. She has 28 years of experience in industry, academia, government, finance, and international relations.

Meidl is a certified hazardous materials manager, and holds a bachelor’s degree in conservation biology and zoology and animal physiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a master’s in environmental policy and management, a master’s in applied science and technology with certifications in chemistry and physics, and a doctorate in law and public policy from Northeastern University. She is a committee member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Roundtable on Plastics.

Contact at [email protected] or 713-348-2256.