Mai Thi Nguyen, PhD, is a Professor of Urban Studies and Planning and Director of the Design Lab at the University of California, San Diego. She is an award-winning researcher and teacher. Her research focuses on social and spatial equity and examines planning and policy topics related to housing, immigration, and climate change.  She is passionate about designing cities that are just and equitable. She has served on major national leadership roles, including Board Chair for the Urban Affairs Association, President of the Faculty Women’s Interest Group for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, and founder and administrator of Planners 2040, a Facebook discussion group with a membership of over 2400 planners across the globe.