Amy C. B. Benitez
4153 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, IL 61801 • 217-550-3783 • benite2@illinois.edu
EDUCATION
M.S. Environmental Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.S. Technical Systems Management
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Study Abroad: Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural University of Athens
HONORS & AWARDS
E.W. Lehmann Award, Agricultural and Bioengineering Department Scholarship
2015 (Anticipated)
2010
June 2009
April 2010
Fred S. Bailey Scholarship
2007 - 2010
Dean's List
2007 – 2010
RESEARCH
Quantitative sustainability assessment of Chicago green infrastructure
The objective of this work is to identify green infrastructure design decisions with sustainability
implications. Specifically, this project will perform a life cycle assessment of Chicago’s green
infrastructure projects in order to quantify environmental impacts. It will further characterize
and quantify changes in storm water hydrology, pollution loading rates, economic costs of
construction and operation, treatment cost changes due to changes in storm water hydrology,
and social benefits.
Quantitative sustainability assessment of urban agriculture water-supply schemes
The objective of this work is to quantitatively analyze environmental and economic impacts of
urban agricultural water-supply frameworks. This project will address the need for quantitative
environmental, social, and economic impact data in urban agricultural food systems. Ultimately,
this work will elucidate the critical barriers of urban agriculture sustainability and provide
meaningful data to urban communities striving to become more resilient and sustainable.
Sustainability life cycle assessment of the Illinois’ Tollway drainage system
The objective of this work is to develop a life cycle analysis tool which models the Illinois’ Tollway
drainage system in order to quantify the environmental impacts from the construction, use,
repair and maintenance, and end-of-life phases of the product.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS & POSTERS
Benitez, A.C.B.; Wortman, S.E.; Guest, J.S. (Poster) Sustainability implications of transitioning to urban
agriculture food systems: An analytical framework and quantitative sustainability assessment.
20th Environmental Engineering and Sciences Symposium; University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign Environmental Engineering Department; Champaign, IL; April 3, 2014.
Benitez, A.C.B.; Wortman, S.E.; Guest, J.S. (Poster) Embodied energy and cost analysis of urban
agriculture food production. Soil in the City Conference: Enhancing Urban Soils for Living
Landscapes and Healthy Communities; Illinois Water Environment Association; Chicago, IL; June
29-July 2, 2014.
AFFILIATIONS & ACTIVITIES
Publicity Committee Chair; Environmental Engineering and Sciences
Symposium
Member; Women’s Philanthropic and Educational Organization (P.E.O.)
Exhibitor; Fuel Cell Exhibit, Engineering Open House
January 2014
2008 - Present
March 2007
Member; Engineer’s Without Borders
2006-2007
Exchange Student; Australia, Rotary International Exchange Program
2005-2006
ADVANCED TRAINING & EXPERTISE
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using Esri software and ArcGIS platform
2013
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) using SimaPro software
2014
LEED Green Associate
May 2014