Daniel B. Oerther

Daniel B. Oerther, PhD, PE, DLAAS, FAAN, FNAP is a Professor of Environmental Health Engineering+Nursing. Learn more here: https://www.oerther.org/DanielOerther

Author, The Vanishing Point | Advancing V-shaped Professionals for Public and Planetary Health | Environmental Biotechnology | Humanitarian Technology | Science Diplomacy | Nurse+Engineer

Dr. Oerther is a scholar of convergence, dedicated to pursuing the Vanishing Point - the future where technology succeeds because it meets a system of caring.

As a Professor of both Engineering and Nursing, Dr. Oerther leads the transition towards V-shaped professionalism where two or more disciplines pursue a deep scientific question or solve a pressing societal need. The framework leverages Benner’s I-shaped theory of novice to expert, transcends the T-shaped approach of InterProfessional Education (IPE), and introduces a Boyer pivot to advance pioneers, translators, and guides.

Dr. Oerther's own career provides cases of serial V-shaped professionalism, including: environmental biotechnology to optimize bioreactor performance; humanitarian technology to provide access to clean water and safe food through GRoWES (Global Research on Water Sanitation and Hygiene to Eliminate Stunting); science diplomacy to support livelihoods and food security in the face of a changing climate through COAST parametric insurance; the nurse+engineer prototype of STEMpathy; as well as transparency, accountability, and verifiability supporting ethical practice in an AI-first world.

As part of updating the definition of environmental engineering maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor and rewriting the field’s Body of Knowledge, Dr. Oerther's work – known as Environmental Engineering 3.0 – reframes the discipline to overcome the “care penalty” and prioritize a fiduciary responsibility to human flourishing. EE3.0 is anchored in a career of rigorous scholarship that has improved the lives of more than 500,000 people across four continents – including initiatives in Guatemala, Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, India, Grenada, and St. Lucia as well as in communities in urban and rural America.

In an AI-mediated world, Dr. Oerther postulates that the professional’s highest value is the accompaniment of humanity through integrated systems of care, or a convergence I call, “Ethical Stewardship“.

Dr. Oerther is an academic member of the Society of Environmental Journalists. He is a proponent of science communication, which includes authoring newspaper op-eds primarily targeting the public (outreach), journal editorials primarily targeting experts (in-reach), and online blogs and vlogs primarily bridging the gap among public and professional as well as among diverse professionals (trans-reach). Examples of his work may be found online: https://muckrack.com/daniel-oerther.

Professor Oerther received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from Northwestern University, and MS and PhD degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Dan is an internationally recognized leader in environmental engineering and science policy, notably for redefining environmental engineering as solving the problems of planetary health. He is also innovative in teaching, pioneering methods like modified mastery learning and interprofessional education to advance the "nurse+engineer" concept for universal health coverage. As a licensed Professional Engineer, Dr. Oerther is quadruple Board Certified in water supply and wastewater engineering, sustainability, sanitarian practice, and environmental microbiology. In collaboration with community stakeholders, he applies humanitarian technology to improve access to clean water and nutritious food. He has developed system-level solutions to alleviate poverty through better social contracts.

Dr. Oerther is an ambassador of the Missouri S&T and the University of Missouri System, having served as a Presidential Engagement Fellow. A three-time Fulbright Awardee and a recipient of the Jefferson Science Fellowship from the U.S. Department of State, in 2017, Dan was recognized with the Missouri System President’s Award for Cross Cultural Engagement and in 2019 he was recognized with the C. Brice Ratchford Memorial Fellowship for demonstrated commitment, dedication, and effectiveness advancing the university’s land-grant mission. A Past President of the Academy, Dr. Oerther served as the Executive Director of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists as well as the President of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Certification Boards.