Joshua McDuffie is a postdoctoral scholar in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Vanderbilt University. His academic focus is on improving disaster preparedness for vulnerable communities, developing hazard-mitigation strategies, and promoting risk-informed decision-making through inclusive communication. With a strong commitment to enhancing public safety and resilience, he conducts research to reduce the impact of natural and human-made disasters. His work combines elements of risk cognitive psychology and engineering with community engagement, striving to create safer environments and more resilient societies through innovative engineering and strategic planning.