Dr. Rachel A. Meidl, Ph.D., CHMM, is a deputy director and distinguished fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, Center for Energy Studies, and serves as a strategic advisor on circular economy for MSCI, Inc. Her research focuses on sustainability, circular economy, life cycle management, and understanding the environmental, economic, and social impacts across energy supply chains. Dr. Meidl was previously appointed Deputy Associate Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in Washington, D.C. Prior to her service in government, she was Director of Regulatory & Technical Affairs at the American Chemistry Council. She has 28 years of experience in industry, academia, government, finance, and international relations. Dr. Meidl is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, received a B.S. in conservation biology and zoology & animal physiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a M.S. in environmental policy and management, a M.Ed. in applied science and technology with certifications in chemistry and physics, and a Ph.D. in law and public policy from Northeastern University. She is a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Roundtable on Plastics Committee.