The Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment (STBE) is pleased to welcome Dr. Susan Doll and Dr. Rabindra Pokhrel to its faculty community.
Bringing expertise that spans environmental health, building science, renewable energy, urban climate, and sustainable design, Doll and Pokhrel expand the department's capacity to prepare students for careers focused on creating healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient communities.
Dr. Doll joins STBE as an adjunct faculty member with a distinguished background in environmental health sciences and energy systems engineering. She earned a Doctor of Science in Environmental Health Sciences from the Harvard School of Public Health, a Master of Science in Nuclear/Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Michigan State University.
Her research examines the relationship between building performance, energy efficiency, occupant behavior, and indoor environmental quality, particularly in residential and low-income housing. She has also contributed to international sustainability efforts focused on household energy systems, renewable technologies, water treatment, and community-based problem solving.
Dr. Susan Doll
At Appalachian, Doll teaches courses including Healthy Buildings, Building Science, Energy Issues & Technology, Project Management, and Honors Thesis Preparation. Her work helps students understand how the built environment affects both human health and environmental sustainability.
Pokhrel joins the department with expertise in urban climate systems, renewable energy technologies, and the impacts of climate extremes on the built environment. He earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Urban Environment from the City University of New York, a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Solar Energy from Santa Clara University, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Kathmandu University in Nepal.
His research explores how communities can mitigate the effects of climate change through innovative building strategies, renewable energy integration, and sustainable urban design. His scholarship has addressed topics including rooftop solar deployment, building energy performance, hurricane damage assessment, urban heat mitigation, and climate resilience.
Pokhrel teaches Materials & Structures I and Materials & Structures II, providing students with a strong foundation in building systems and performance. His work has been published in leading journals including Atmosphere, Energy and Buildings, Weather and Climate Extremes, and the ASME Journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities. Earlier in his career, he received recognition for a paper on thermal energy storage that was named Best Paper at the 2009 ASME Solar Energy Conference.
Dr. Rabindra Pokhrel
Together, Doll and Pokhrel bring a wealth of expertise that reflects STBE's commitment to interdisciplinary learning and applied research. Their combined experience strengthens opportunities for students to engage with pressing challenges related to energy, environmental health, climate resilience, and sustainable development. Welcome to the CFAA Community!
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