Dr. Thomas Piechota

Dr. Thomas C. Piechota is a Professor of Engineering and Environmental Science and Policy at Chapman University. Dr. Piechota received his B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1989 from Northern Arizona University, his M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1993 from UCLA, and his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1997 from UCLA. Dr. Piechota has been recognized for his efforts in teaching, research and as an administrator where he has helped advance the research enterprise through increases in research funding, outside partnerships and entrepreneurial activities. In 2003, Dr. Piechota received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for the project, "Improved Hydrologic Drought Forecasting Using Climate Information." From 2008-2013, Dr. Piechota was the Co-PI on a $20 million National Science Foundation funded studies on climate change impacts in Nevada. Dr. Piechota was an invited Lead Author on the Southwest Chapter of the National Climate Assessment in 2013. Dr. Piechota was part of the 2013 Solar Decathlon team that took second place in world competition and first in the U.S. He has authored or coauthored more than 100 journal articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, and reports, and his work has been cited more than 4000 times. At Chapman, Dr. Piechota was the inaugural Vice President for Research and helped expand the research from 2016 - 2021 with notable recognition including Carnegie R2 (High Research Activity) designation in December 2018 and a tripling of research expenditures from 2016 to 2020. Dr. Piechota is a licensed Professional Engineer in California. He has served on review panels for the National Science Foundation and various federal agencies. He has served on various professional and community committees and is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.