Columbia MD and Washington DC—March 12, 2020. Universities Space Research Association’s Dr. Miguel Román, Program Director, The Earth from Space Institute was elected a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability group. Dr. Román joins a renowned body of international industry, government and academic leaders to discuss and develop sustainability policy as part of a special group assembled by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS).
Dr. Miguel Román, Director, Earth from Space Institute (EfSI), USRAEstablished in 2002, the Roundtable provides a high-level forum for sharing views, information and analysis related to harnessing science and technology for sustainability; members of this roundtable also aid in advisory work through the Academies.
The Roundtable draws on expertise of leaders from research institutions as well as senior decision makers from government and industry who are in a position to mobilize new strategies and resources for sustainability. In February, the group focused on two areas rethinking cities for sustainable development and communicating with youth about ocean and coastal sustainability.
“We are delighted that Dr. Román, a distinguished USRA scientist, is being invited to serve as a member of this Committee,” said Ghassem Asrar, Senior Vice President, Science, at USRA. “The more we work together on science-based and sustainable strategies, especially with an august body such as the National Academies, the greater the chance of success for sustainable solutions for current and future generations.” Such efforts benefit the society and all sectors of our national and global economy. The purpose and intent of this roundtable discussions are consistent with the mission of Earth from Space Institute (EfSI) that Dr. Román leads for USRA.”
Roundtable members include heads of industry, such as Kara Hurst, head of worldwide sustainability at Amazon, and Klaus Tilmes from the World Bank. Other members include governmental leaders such as the NSF Director, France Cordova, senior advisor to the U.S. Geological Survey, Suzette Kimball, and deputy undersecretary for research, education and economics for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Scott Hutchins.
“These experts bring a broad range of knowledge to harness the power of science, engineering, and medicine to meet sustainability challenges from local to global scales and continue to enhance the Academies’ Sustainability Roundtable vision of creating systematic process ton infuse sustainability across the National Academies."
“I am excited to be included in this group of scholars and leaders who are working on the leading edge of sustainability science,” Dr. Román said. “I look forward to the work that this roundtable can do to aid the National Academies and explore how the Earth from Space Institute and its worldwide network of partners can help pursue integrated solutions across physical, environmental and social dimensions.”
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About USRA
Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities, and conducts other major research and educational programs, under Federal funding. USRA engages the university community and employs in-house scientific leadership, innovative research and development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu.
