Cheila Cullen

Cheila Cullen is a Physical Scientist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Earth, and Environmental Sciences at the City University of New York (CUNY). In CUNY, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Center for Earth System Sciences & Remote Sensing Technologies Center (NOAA-CESSRST), she leads the Natural Hazards group dedicated to the development of computer numerical models to help detect, assess, and forecast natural hazards.

At the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), she serves a Deputy-Chair of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group 3 which investigates links between climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and the implementation of satellite observations to support disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts around the world.

Prior to her academic path, Dr. Cullen worked as the Risk Management and Sustainability Director at CCNY/CUNY where she coordinated emergency management, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategies to a variety of stakeholders within the University. At CCNY, she also co-chaired the college’s sustainability committee that developed and implemented a 10-year climate plan with strategies in the areas of energy, water, transportation, recycling, procurement, sustainable nutrition, and community outreach. Dr. Cullen worked collaboratively with academic, private, and public sectors acquiring successful partnerships to successfully bring projects to fruition.

Cheila is Deputy Co-Chair of GEO DRR Working Group, supporting subgroup 3 and she is involved in Tasks 3.1 and 3.2.