Tulane University
Cynthia Ebinger is the Marshall-Heape Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Tulane University. Her research focuses on tectonic and volcanic processes occurring in rift zones, and their implications for earthquake and volcanic hazards, and for geothermal energy. She and her research team utilize satellite and geophysical data to image and model Earth's structure and state-of-stress, and to detect change associated with natural and anthropogenic processes. In the course of field and laboratory studies, she has worked with scientists in African and South American countries to address hazard and energy challenges and to build regional networks. Ebinger is Chair of the American Geophysical Union College of Fellows, a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, and she serves on the advisory board for the International Centre for Theoretical Physics - East African Institute for Fundamental Research geophysics program. Ebinger received an SM and PhD in marine geophysics from the M.I.T./Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program, and a BSc in marine geology from Duke University. She has served as Editor-in-Chief for Geophysical Journal International and Basin Research and as associate editor for Journal of Geophysical Research and Journal of African Research.
Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs
Office of Economic and Regional Affairs (AF/ERA)
Cynthia Ebinger serves as a geoscience analyst in the Regional Climate Group, within the Office of Economic and Regional Affairs. The mission of AF/ERA is to oversee the Africa Bureau’s broad economic, multilateral, and democratic governance issues. Cynthia is advising AF/ERA on climate adaptation and mitigation solutions, as well as aspects of the critical minerals pipeline, augmenting ongoing and planned programs in the environment, energy, and minerals sectors. She is working with scientists, economists, and analysts at State, USAID, USGS, NASA, NOAA, NSC, and international organizations to develop and evaluate infrastructure projects for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy at country and regional levels, and to include the impact of rising sea level and changing rainfall in assessments. She is also assisting with capacity-building in Earth, oceans, atmospheres, and space sciences in Africa to enhance climate and disaster early warning and global change programs.