Professor Milford has nearly 30 years of teaching and research experience in mechanical and environmental engineering and environmental policy. Prior to joining CU-Boulder, she was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Connecticut. Before that, she was a Congressional Fellow and Analyst at the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, where she provided technical analysis in support of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. She has also worked as Senior Scientist and Staff Attorney at the Environmental Defense Fund.
Education
- J.D., University of Colorado School of Law, May 2004.
- Registered attorney in Colorado, October 2004 to present.
- Ph.D., Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, May 1988.
- M.S., Civil Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, May 1985.
- B.S., with distinction, Engineering Science, Iowa State University, May 1983.
Professional Experience
- Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, June 2008 – present.
- Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, July 2013 – June 30, 2014.
- Director, Environmental Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, July 2010 – June 2012. (On sabbatical, July 2012 – June 2013.)
- Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, August 1997 - present. (On leave, September 2001 – August 2002; half-time August 2002 – January 2007.)
- Senior Scientist and Staff Attorney, Environmental Defense, May 2004 – January 2007. (Half-time).
- Director, Environmental Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, June 1998 - July 2001.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, January 1994 - July 1997.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Research Institute, University of Connecticut, September 1989 - December 1993.
- Faculty-in-Residence, Washington Internships for Students of Engineering, American Society for Engineering Education, summer 1990.
- Congressional Fellow and Analyst, Office of Technology Assessment, United States Congress, September 1987 - July 1989.
- Research and Teaching Assistant, Carnegie Mellon University, 1983 - 1987.
- Engineering Intern, General Motors Corporation, 1983.
Honors and Scholarly Awards
- Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Outstanding Service Award, 2015-2016.
- Abraham Lincoln High School, Council Bluffs, IA, Hall of Fame Inductee, March 2013.
- Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Outstanding Graduate Education Award, 2010 - 2011.
- Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Outstanding Service Award, 2009 -2010.
- Health and Environmental Stewardship Award, presented by the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division, September 2008.
- Faculty Leadership Advancement Group, invited participant, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2006.
- Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Distinguished Achievement Award, 2004-2005.
- Order of the Coif, University of Colorado School of Law, May 2004.
- University of Colorado, Emerging Leaders Program, invited participant, 2002-2003.
- Max S. Peters Faculty Service Award, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2001.
Professional Service
- Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper, March 2013 – present. Chair, June 2017 to present.
- Health Effects Institute, Research Review Committee, January 2016 to present.
- National Academy of Sciences, Committee on Science for EPA’s Future, June 2011 to August 2012.
- National Academy of Sciences, Board of Environmental Studies and Toxicology, January 2010 to August 2015.
- National Academy of Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, Committee on U.S.-Chinese Cooperation on Electricity from Renewable Resources, November 2008 to December 2010.
- Regional Air Quality Council, Board Member, August 2007 to March 2009, appointed by Governor Bill Ritter.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Science Advisory Board, 2005 - 2011, appointed by Administrator Stephen Johnson. Lead reviewer for three SAB reports. Chair of the SAB Risk and Technology Review Methods panel.
