Dr. Nina Baird

Biography

Nina Baird is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Carnegie Mellon University in the School of Architecture. Her courses delve into the dynamic interactions between buildings and the environment, challenging students to think creatively and critically about improving building performance in support of environmental and human health. The courses combine a technical understanding of measured performance assessment with an eye towards new technologies and integrated solutions. With a diverse mix of international students at CMU, Nina encourages them to consider sustainability in the context of location-specific factors such as natural resources, population density, climate, culture, and the pace of development. Her applied research includes projects concerning district geothermal systems, wastewater energy recovery, and energy-efficient affordable housing. Prior to her career at CMU, Nina was an environmental health consultant for federal agencies in Washington, DC, and has been actively involved in community service, encouraging students to be active advocates and contributors to the world they aspire to create. In Pittsburgh, she participates in the development of improved community energy infrastructure and provides consulting on high-performance affordable housing. Nina is a member of CMU’s Green Practices Committee, which is currently focusing on wastewater reclamation and reuse as well as the development of a campus water plan. She holds a BA with honors in English from Amherst College, a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Science in Sustainable Design, and a PhD in Building Performance and Diagnostics from Carnegie Mellon University.

Research Interests