Before joining U-C Davis in 2007, she earned a multi-disciplinary Ph.D. in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and Civil and Environmental Engineering. Her research uses life cycle assessment, along with other industrial ecology tools, to assess the sustainability of transportation systems, energy systems and the built environment. In parallel, she also works to develop improved methods for life cycle assessment practice, focusing particularly on the treatment of long-lived systems and climate forcing emissions. In addition to her Ph.D., Alissa received an M.S. from the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and holds a B.S.E. in Environmental Engineering from Duke University.