2025 News 2025: Nefeli Bompoti named to 2026 40 Under 40 by American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists

National award recognizes Bompoti's work in safe, equitable land use and resilience in coastal communities.

Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Nefeli Bompoti is among the recipients of the 2026 40 Under 40 award from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AEES). The 40 Under 40 award recognizes individuals who have helped advance the fields of environmental science or environmental engineering in a demonstrable way over the last year.  

"I'm truly honored to be recognized by the AAEES 40 under 40 program," Bompoti said. "This achievement reflects not only my work but also the mentorship and support I have received from colleagues and collaborators along the way. I'm truly inspired to continue work that drives innovation in environmental engineering and science." 

Bompoti joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UMassD in the fall of 2023 and secured more than $1M in research funding during her first year as a faculty member. Her research group, the Environmental Research and Sustainability Lab, studies how human activities and environmental systems interact, with a focus on contaminant transport, climate resilience, and sustainable redevelopment. Through research, modeling, and community partnerships, the lab works to advance equitable, science-based solutions for cleaner water, safer land use, and more resilient coastal communities.