Photo of Heather Perez

Heather Perez

Senior Environmental Scientist and Geospatial Manager

Improving global health demands innovative solutions and evolving perspectives. I thrive on developing cutting-edge methodologies and promoting novel insights made possible by advances in data quality, quantity, and availability.


Heather Perez (she/her/hers) is a national leader in developing advanced approaches to estimate mobile source activity and emissions from ocean-going vessels, large ports, rail segments and yards, and airports and flight paths using available geo-specific data. Certified as a Geographic Information Systems Professional, Heather has more than 20 years’ experience using geospatial tools to analyze data and improve others’ access to high-quality data. She has created comprehensive criteria pollutant, hazardous air pollutant, and greenhouse gas emission inventories for point, nonpoint, and mobile sources, including marine vessel and rail sectors for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Emissions Inventory and for offshore platform, shipping, and helicopter operations for the Bureau of Energy Management’s Gulfwide Emissions Inventory. She has also developed mapping techniques to approximate offshore vessel pathways and underwater power line connections for BOEM’s Offshore Wind Air Emissions Tool.

Heather’s projects have included advising Environment and Climate Change Canada on the feasibility of Canada implementing the new California Air Resources Board rule for early retirement of locomotives and, for EPA, developing and managing geospatial data to improve resolution of rail activity and fuel use. She has also been particularly active in evaluating the potential of port shore electrification to reduce emissions at several U.S. and Canadian ports, with a focus on potential impacts to disadvantaged communities. Her recent work has expanded into environmental justice concerns and climate resiliency and adaptation via new technology, changing business practices, and advanced planning.

Heather holds a B.S in Applied Biology (environmental science and Spanish minors) from Xavier University and a Master of Environmental Management in Resource/Landscape Ecology from Duke University.