Michele Romolini, Ph.D.
Managing Director, CURes
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Dr. Michele Romolini is an urban social ecologist dedicated to the belief that resilient cities require a deep integration of social equity and ecological health. As the Managing Director of the Center for Urban Resilience (CURes), she serves as a strategic bridge-builder by connecting academic research with on-the-ground community application. Her areas of expertise include environmental governance, stewardship networks, green infrastructure, and community climate resilience. Dr. Romolini works to develop new research synergies and secure funding for projects that integrate social and ecological questions, with a particular interest in community-based participatory research that drives local action.
Her research portfolio is inherently collaborative, bridging partnerships between university faculty, federal scientists, local government, and community practitioners. This work is bicoastal, with active projects in both Southern California and Maryland. One example in California is the Gateway Cities Regional Climate Collaborative, where Dr. Romolini is leading an evaluation of climate change documents to support the development of a regional roadmap for local action. This is in partnership with TreePeople and the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, with funding from the State of California. In Maryland, she is Science Lead for the Healthy Trees Healthy Cities Baltimore initiative, which utilizes art-based engagement and community design to support underserved neighborhoods in increasing their urban tree canopy. This project is a partnership with The Nature Conservancy, The SCRD, and Women of Color Outdoors, funded by the USDA Forest Service.
Dr. Romolini received her PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont, following a Master’s of Environmental Studies and a BA in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. She has completed advanced professional development in university leadership, restorative practices, equity, and project planning. In addition to her role at CURes, she serves on the Leadership Team of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study and as Editor-in-Chief of the Cities and the Environment Journal. As a Senior Lecturer at LMU, Dr. Romolini has taught across the spectrum of social and ecological topics and is committed to mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders through research assistantships and independent student research. Students are invited to email Dr. Romolini to discuss current research opportunities.