William Chameides

William Chameides is the Nicholas Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Environment in Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, within the Earth and Climate Sciences division, specializing in Geoscience. He earned a B.A. from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1970, an M.Ph. from Yale University in 1973, and a Ph.D. from Yale University in 1974. His doctoral thesis, 'A Photochemical Theory of Tropospheric Ozone,' laid foundational work in atmospheric chemistry. Chameides began his career with positions at the University of Michigan (1974-1976), the University of Florida (1976-1980), and then spent over 25 years at the Georgia Institute of Technology, rising through roles including Associate Professor (1980-1985), Professor (1985-1995), Regents’ Professor (1995-2005), Smithgall Chair of Atmospheric Sciences (1998-2005), and Director of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (1989-1994). He served as Acting Chair (2001-2002) and Editor of the Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres (1984-1987). From 2005 to 2007, he was Chief Scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund. In 2007, he joined Duke University as Dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment (2007-2014), later becoming Nicholas Distinguished Professor (2009-2015) before assuming emeritus status in 2015.

Chameides’ research in atmospheric sciences has elucidated the photochemistry of the lower atmosphere, the role of nitrogen oxides in mitigating urban and regional smog, and the impacts of regional environmental changes on global food production. His work addresses global, regional, and urban-scale environmental change, identifying pathways to sustainability. Key publications include books such as 'Electricity from Renewable Sources: Status, Prospects, and Impediments' (2010), 'Harnessing Farms and Forests in the Low-Carbon Economy' (2007), and 'Air Quality Management in the U.S.' (2004), as well as influential papers like 'Continental-Scale Metro-Agro-Plexes, Regional Ozone Pollution, and World Food Production' (Science, 1994), 'The Role of Biogenic Hydrocarbons in Urban Photochemical Smog: Atlanta as a Case Study' (Science, 1988), and 'Carbon Trading over Taxes' (Science, 2007). His contributions have earned him election to the National Academy of Sciences (1998), Fellowship in the American Geophysical Union (1983) with the James B. MacElwane Award (1983), National Associate of the National Academies (2002), and recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher (2001). Chameides served as Vice Chair of the Committee on America’s Climate Choices (2008) and maintains an active presence through blogs on platforms like The Green Grok and Scientific American.

Professional Email: bill.chameides@duke.edu