NASA Gets New Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor

Dr. Kathrine Calvin is the new Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor at NASA. In her new role, Dr. Calvin will serve as principal advisor to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on NASA science programs, strategic planning, and policy. The dual role highlights one of the many initiatives the Biden administration is taking to incorporate climate change into its policy planning and programs.
 
In a press release from NASA, Dr. Calvin says “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our nation – and our planet. NASA is a world leader in climate and Earth science. I’m excited to be a part of the team that is helping to advance this important science mission.”
 
Before accepting her position at NASA, Dr. Calvin was an Earth Scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Joint Global Change Research Institute where she worked on developing and studying the institute’s Global Change Analysis Model and the Department of Energy’s Energy Exascale Earth System Model.
 
NASA has played an active role in President Biden’s National Climate Task Force since the Task Force’s  establishment in February 2021. The Task Force seeks an all-of-government approach to address climate change. As part of this initiative, NASA has created a climate action plan to further research and reduce the climate impacts of their missions.
 
Dr. Calvin holds master’s and doctoral degrees in management, science, and engineering from Stanford University.