Heidi Sieverding

Brief Bio

Heidi Sieverding is an Assistant Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Heidi began college with dual-enrollment during her senior year of high school and completed her A.A. in general studies at a community college before transferring to South Dakota Mines. She has a B.S. in Geological Engineering, M.S. in Geology and Geological Engineering, and Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences. She started working in Dr. Stone's research group in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department in 2013 as a Research Scientist. Prior to her time at South Dakota Mines, Heidi worked for the State of South Dakota and U.S. Air Force as a contractor managing GIS databases and for both large and small privately-owned companies as an analyst.  Dr. Sieverding has extensive experience evaluating the sustainability of bio-products and their production systems using life cycle analysis and evaluating and remediating environmental issues. Heidi has over 20 peer-reviewed publications on an array of research topics. Heidi has two children, a daughter who is an alumnus of the Civil and Environmental Engineering program and a son who is currently enrolled at South Dakota Mines in the Mining Engineering program.

Research Expertise

Heidi Sieverding's research expertise is in systems thinking with focus on life cycle analysis, environmental remediation, geohydrology, and geospatial analysis. Heidi's research has focused on improving the sustainability of and evaluating the environmental impact of crop and bio-product production within South Dakota. Her current research projects are focused on development of sustainable, spray-on bioplastics which can support field crop production, water resource conservation in agriculture through smart sensor development, improving the sustainability of corn and ethanol production, and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) mitigation.

Teaching

Heidi Sieverding currently teaches freshmen- through graduate-level courses for the Civil and Environmental Engineering program. Heidi meets freshmen civil engineering students during their spring semester in CEE 140 - Geomatics I when students are introduced to mapping, technical drawing, and surveying data. She encounters students next during their sophomore or junior year in CEE 325 – Introduction to Sustainable Design.  She teaches the elective course CEE 425/525 – Sustainable Engineering and graduate course CEE 624 – Environmental Life Cycle Assessment.  During fall 2025, she will be teaching a new graduate course in Designing for Multifunctionality.  Heidi is the advisor to South Dakota Mines' Environmental Change and Sustainability Club. Dr. Sieverding is also the point of contact for students interested in getting a Minor in Sustainable Engineering.