Dr. Washington is a Nationally Certified Lymphatic Therapist (CLT-LANA), Naturopathic Doctor (ND), formally trained environmental epidemiologist (MPH), and systems and control engineer (MSE). She suffers from a rare form of Primary Lymphedema (Lymphedema Distichiasis). One of her first jobs after completing her undergraduate work was as a Plant Environmental Engineer at the Lake Shore Plant from 1982 to 1983. In this job, she ensured environmental compliance of the fossil fuel-fired electricity plant. Before earning her master’s degree, Dr. Washington worked as an Environmental Chemist and Control Systems Engineer at the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company from 1980 to 1986. She was the first African American hired as an environmental chemist at the Clevalnt Electric Illuminating Company.

From 1986 to 1987, Dr. Washington worked for Jacobs Sverdurip as a Systems Engineer, where she developed AI systems for the US Space Station. Dr. Washington worked as a Senior Engineer at the NASA Glenn Research Center from 1986 to 1992. She developed models for low earth orbits and evaluated the impacts of failed missions on public health.

In 1992, Dr. Washington began teaching. She first worked at DeVry University as the Dean of Engineering until 1993 and as a professor at Elgin Community College until 2004. From 2000 to 2005, Dr. Washington was an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University. From 2002 to 2006, she was the Environmental Justice Project Director for the Knights of Peter Claver Northern District, where she created the first national environmental justice and health literacy program for African American Catholics. From 2005 to 2006, Dr. Washington was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland and then, from 2006 to 2009, a Research Associate Professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago.  From 2007 to 2020, Dr. Washington was Editor in Chief of the Environmental Justice Journal.

Dr. Washington has published two books and works to increase communication on climate and environmental justice. In 2012, she was appointed to Illinois’ first Environmental Justice Commission.

Dr. Washington became a practicing clinician focused on lymphatic clearance after spending over 20 years on the ground with the community and environmental justice grassroots activists struggling with environmental health inequalities tied to industrial pollution, contaminated homes, and drinking water. She enjoys working with individuals or communities suffering from lymphatic disorders with a strong interest in those who have Asthma, COPD, Lupus, Lyme Disease, Lymphedema, Plastic Surgery, Lipedema, Autoimmune Disorders, and Environmentally Linked Cancers. She leverages her interdisciplinary skills in applied mathematics, systems, and the history of medicine when teaching students or supporting patients. In 2017, Dr. Washington became a Certified Lymphatic Therapist, CLT-LANA.

She uses her formal training in biostatistics, epidemiology, medical and public health history, and systems and control engineering to create mathematical models that help analyze data to determine environmental health disparities.

Dr. Washington was awarded the National Science Foundation research award, Society of Women Engineers NASA fellowship, Illinois Humanities Scholar Award (Environmental Justice Oral History Project), National Park Service: Environmental Justice Scholar for Ohio Illinois Ventures Recipient, and Environmental Health Business.

Dr. Washington is a practicing Catholic, and her religion and life experiences shape her perspective on climate and environmental justice. She frequently speaks to Catholic audiences calling for action on climate change. Dr. Sylvia has been married for 42 years and has two children, a physician, and an attorney. She lives in Illinois. She is an avid gardener who loves creating “Climate Victory Gardens,” birding, and walking.