Denise R. Simmons, Ph.D., PE, LEED-AP, is an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida.
Dr. Simmons oversees the Simmons Research Lab (SRL), which is home to a dynamic, interdisciplinary mix of graduate researchers and postdoctoral researchers who work together to explore human, technology and society interactions to transform civil engineering education and practice with an emphasis on understanding hazard recognition, competencies, satisfaction, personal resilience, organizational culture, training, informal learning and social considerations. She is a leader in research that prepares students and professionals with the competencies to compete in and sustain the construction workforce. She has extensive experience leading and conducting multi-institutional, workforce-related research and outreach.