Skip to main content

Drew Todd Shindell

Nicholas Distinguished Professor of Earth Science
Earth and Climate Sciences
9 Circuit Dr, PO Box 90328, Grainger Hall, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Drew Shindell is Nicholas Professor of Earth Science at Duke University. From 1995 to 2014 he was at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City and taught at Columbia University. He earned his Bachelor's at UC Berkeley and PhD at Stony Brook University, both in Physics. He studies climate change, air quality, and links between science and policy. He has been an author on >250 peer-reviewed publications, received awards from Scientific American, NASA, the NSF and the EPA, and is a fellow of AGU and AAAS.

He has testified on climate issues before both houses of the US Congress (at the request of both parties), developed a climate change course with the American Museum of Natural History, and made numerous media appearances as part of his outreach efforts. He chaired the 2011 UNEP/WMO Integrated Assessment of Black Carbon and Tropospheric Ozone, and was a Coordinating Lead Author on the 2013 Fifth Assessment Report of the IPCC and on the 2018 IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C. He also chairs the Scientific Advisory Panel to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition of nations and organizations.


Current Appointments & Affiliations


Nicholas Distinguished Professor of Earth Science · 2016 - Present Earth and Climate Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor of Climate Sciences · 2014 - Present Earth and Climate Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute · 2017 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers
Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society · 2021 - Present Duke Science & Society, University Initiatives & Academic Support Units

In the News


Published October 25, 2024
Individuals and Groups Collect 19 Climate and Sustainability Awards
Published October 2, 2023
How Nicholas School Faculty Members Are Working to Protect the Seafloor
Published May 2, 2023
Three Faculty Elected to National Academy of Sciences

View All News

Recent Publications


Inequality in air pollution-attributable mortality by income level between and within countries.

Journal Article Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · October 2025 Air pollution is a major global health threat, with exposure exhibiting substantial heterogeneity across and within regions. While disparities in air pollution exposure by income groups are well documented, how these inequalities translate into differentia ... Full text Cite

Global methane action pays for itself at least six times over.

Journal Article Science (New York, N.Y.) · October 2025 We provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic benefits and costs of global methane emissions abatement, anchored on the Global Methane Pledge. We use an integrated assessment model to estimate avoided climate damages at the global and country level ... Full text Cite

Comparing the climate and air pollution footprints of Lithium-ion BEVs and ICEs in the US incorporating systemic energy system responses

Journal Article Plos Climate · October 1, 2025 With rising travel demand and the need to tackle both the air quality and climate change challenges caused by fossil fuel vehicles, there is an urgent need to transition to cleaner and more sustainable fuels. While lithium-ion battery electric vehicles (BE ... Full text Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


Economic Assessment of Mitigation Measures of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by United Nations Environment Programme · 2025 - 2026

Supporting SLCP Assessments on Food/Agriculture and Economics

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by United Nations Environment Programme · 2025 - 2026

The Potential Environmental Effects of Lithium Mining and Extraction

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Albemarle Corporation · 2023 - 2024

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


Stony Brook University · 1995 Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley · 1988 A.B.

External Links


Drew Shindell