Deborah Amaral, Ph.D.

Deborah Amaral is originally from Washington, DC. She talked her way into one of the last shop classes taught in her junior high school, and for extra credit in high school physics, she built a small electric motor. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Reed College, her master’s degree in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and her Ph.D. in engineering and public policy also from Carnegie Mellon. In her free time, Deborah enjoys metalsmithing, weaving and gardening. She founded the Handy Village Institute to bring the joy of using hand tools to her community. She has taught environmental science courses at two local universities and served on the boards of five nonprofit organizations.