AAAS Senior Project Director
Nicole L. Retland, Ph.D., is a scientist, strategist, and community-centered leader working at the intersection of STEMM education and workforce, public health, sustainability, and equitable community development.
She brings more than a decade of experience leading complex federally funded programs, cultivating institutional partnerships, and advancing research, education, and workforce initiatives. She earned a Ph.D. in microbiology from Howard University and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Retland is also the Owner and Founder of EcoGen Urban Solutions, a science-driven environmental consulting firm specializing in water quality, green infrastructure, environmental planning, stakeholder engagement, and resilient communities. She is certified through the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program and trained in advancing sustainable stormwater practices that improve environmental and community health outcomes.
Her commitment to environmental equity extends to the DC Go-Go Trails Collective: East of the River, which she founded to expand safe, connected access to trails, parks, and green spaces in Washington, DC’s Wards 7 and 8 through community engagement, environmental stewardship, storytelling, and advocacy.
Nicole is passionate about building partnerships that transform complex challenges into opportunities for healthier, more connected, and more resilient communities. Outside of work, she enjoys nature and spending time with her family.