{"id":142509,"date":"2021-12-14T20:45:51","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T01:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-353862"},"modified":"2024-02-22T13:21:02","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T18:21:02","slug":"about-ocs","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/about-ocs\/","title":{"rendered":"About OCS"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>Office of the Chief Scientist<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 \"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\"><nav><ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\"><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ocs\/\">OCS Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/about-ocs\/\">About OCS<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ocs\/programs-and-projects\/\">Programs and Projects<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ocs-highlights\/\">Highlights<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ocs-nasa-science-council\/\">NASA Science Council<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>More<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-science-policies-and-reports\/\">Science Policies and Reports<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t<div class=\"padding-0 bg-spacesuit-white wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-page-intro width-full maxw-full padding-y-6 padding-x-4\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"heading-41\">About OCS<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg margin-0 margin-bottom-2\">The Chief Scientist serves as principal advisor to the NASA Administrator and other senior officials on agency science programs, strategic planning and the evaluation of related investments.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-left-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-lg flex-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#mission\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Mission Statement<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#staff\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>OCS Staff<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#organization\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>OCS Organization<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#history\" class=\"display-flex line-height-sm color-carbon-black text-no-underline flex-align-center border-bottom-1px border-color-carbon-30-important padding-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>OCS History<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" width=\"8\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 8 10\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M3.40281 4.46225e-07L3.40281 7.87725L0.836149 5.47479L4.90799e-07 6.25727L4 10L8 6.25727L7.16385 5.47479L4.59719 7.87725L4.59719 6.0285e-07L3.40281 4.46225e-07Z\" fill=\"black\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Chief Scientist serves as principal advisor to the NASA Administrator and other senior officials on agency science programs, strategic planning and the evaluation of related investments. The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) represents all of the scientific endeavors in the agency, ensuring they are aligned with and fulfill the administration’s science objectives. The OCS advocates for NASA science in the context of broader government science agendas and works closely with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and other government agencies. OCS also coordinates with representatives of the NASA mission directorates, field centers, and advisory committees on the content and objectives of the agency’s science research and exploration portfolio. The Chief Scientist represents the agency’s strategic science objectives and accomplishments to the national and international science community, including other government agencies, scientific organizations, industry, academia, and the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Office of the Chief Scientist works to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Preserve and promote the integrity and credibility of NASA scientific research programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify opportunities to leverage the science assets of individual organizations and missions to the maximum benefit of the agency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstrate and communicate the societal impact and breadth of NASA science investments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Foster communication and coordination within and outside the science community at NASA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify exciting and emerging areas of science research and support their development through cooperation with NASA’s engineering and technology organizations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mission\">Mission Statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) represents all of the scientific endeavors in the agency, ensuring they are aligned with and fulfill the administration’s science objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>OCS advocates for NASA science in the context of broader government science agendas and works closely with the WH Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and other government agencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>OCS also coordinates with representatives of the NASA mission directorates, field centers, and advisory committees on the content and objectives of the agency\u2019s science research and exploration portfolio.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Chief Scientist represents the agency\u2019s strategic science objectives and accomplishments to the national and international science community, including other government agencies, scientific organizations, industry, academia, and the public.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"985\" height=\"690\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png?w=985\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Venn Diagram about the Role of the Chief Scientist\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png?resize=300,210 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png?resize=768,538 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png?resize=400,280 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png?resize=600,420 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png?resize=900,630 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 985px) 100vw, 985px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"staff\"><a><\/a>OCS Staff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dr. Katherine Calvin, NASA Chief Scientist<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Portrait of Dr. Kate Calvin, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, NASA Headquarters Mary W. Jackson building in Washington. \" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 68% 9%; object-position: 68% 9%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg 4500w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=300,265 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=768,679 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=1024,905 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=1536,1357 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=2048,1810 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=400,353 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=600,530 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=900,795 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=1200,1060 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/nhq202201100001.jpg?resize=2000,1767 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Portrait of Dr. Kate Calvin, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, NASA Headquarters Mary W. Jackson building in Washington.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Bill Ingalls<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Dr. Katherine Calvin was appointed as NASA\u2019s Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor to Administrator Bill Nelson on Jan. 10, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As chief scientist, Calvin advises agency leadership on the agency\u2019s science programs and science-related strategic planning and investments. As senior climate advisor, she provides insights recommendations for the agency\u2019s climate-related science, technology, and infrastructure programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Calvin will serve in this capacity under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program, which provides for the temporary assignment of personnel between the federal government and state and local governments, colleges and universities, Indian tribal governments, federally funded research and development centers, and other eligible organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2008, Calvin has been an Earth scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory\u2019s Joint Global Change Research Institute (JGCRI) in College Park, Maryland. She worked in JGCRI\u2019s Global Change Analysis Model, a system for exploring and analyzing the relationships between human and Earth systems in the context of global climate change.\u202fShe also worked on the Department of Energy\u2019s Energy Exascale Earth System Model, a system for analyzing the past, present, and future state of the Earth system. Her research simulates the interaction between global resources, focusing on the impact of land, water, and energy use through an environmental and socioeconomic lens.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In her almost fourteen years at JGCRI, Calvin co-authored over 100 publications. Her recent publications have investigated growing populations against agriculture and water scarcity in the face of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Calvin served on a\u202fNational Academy of Sciences\u202fresearch committee on models of the world, which was commissioned by the\u202fNational Geospatial Intelligence Agency\u202fto create models for interrelated global systems such as economics, politics, and environment. She has contributed to the third U.S.\u202fNational Climate Assessment\u202fas well as two special reports by the\u202fIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, with two more reports scheduled for publication in 2022. She also worked at the U.S.\u202fEnergy Information Administration\u202ffor two years as an international energy analyst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Calvin received her doctorate in Management, Science, and Engineering from Stanford University and a bachelor of science in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Maryland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:27px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dr. David Draper, Deputy Chief Scientist<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/draper_0.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"283\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/draper_0.jpg?w=320\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Dr. David Draper, Deputy Chief Scientist\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 53% 17%; object-position: 53% 17%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/draper_0.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/draper_0.jpg?resize=300,265 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Dr. David Draper, Deputy Chief Scientist<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Deputy Chief Scientist David Draper joins the Office from NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He served as the Manager of the Astromaterials Research Office, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division, Exploration Integration and Science Directorate, from June of 2009 to June of 2019. In this role he led a group of world-class planetary scientists specializing in the study of samples from other worlds to determine how the Solar System formed and evolved to its present state. Research Office scientists also have taken leading roles in NASA and international robotic spaceflight missions, including Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars Science Laboratory, OSIRIS-REx, and the Japanese space agency\u2019s Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 missions. He served in numerous Division and Directorate leadership roles in helping chart the organization\u2019s course in science and exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Draper has 27 years of professional experience in studying the Earth, Moon, planets, and Solar System. These scientific studies explored frontier questions regarding characteristics, processes, and events of and on Earth, the Moon, and Mars. His scientific specialty is in experimental simulations at high temperatures and pressures of processes occurring within planetary interiors, such as the solidification of planetary magma oceans like those thought to have occurred on the Moon and Mars. He also has fifteen years\u2019 experience helping organize the annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, serving as Program Committee Chair and co-Chair since 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Draper\u2019s education and training were in the geochemical and experimental study of terrestrial basalts, using them as probes of Earth\u2019s upper mantle and to understand processes occurring in subduction zones and mantle plumes. This background was directly extensible to the study of rocky bodies in the Solar System. He hails from California and the Pacific Northwest, and has held academic positions in Texas and New Mexico, as well as postdoctoral appointments in the United Kingdom and Australia. He is passionately interested in United States and world history, as well as family genealogy, and is also a lifelong musician and amateur recording engineer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:31px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dr. Kartik Sheth<\/h4>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg?w=1920\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Dr. Kartik Sheth is a world-renowned observational astrophysicist\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 51% 34%; object-position: 51% 34%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/kartik-profile-anonymous.jpg?resize=1200,801 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Dr. Kartik Sheth is a world-renowned observational astrophysicist whose scientific research has primarily been in the areas of galaxy formation and evolution, star formation and the interstellar medium. His somewhat non-traditional career path has taken him across government, academia, nonprofits, and influential roles within the White House.  Currently, Dr. Sheth is concluding his second tenure at the White House, where he serves as the Program Examiner in the Office of Management and Budget. Responsible for managing an $8.5 billion budget for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, his oversight encompasses diverse fields from Advanced Scientific Computing to Basic Energy Science, Fusion Science, High Energy and Nuclear Physics, and Biological and Environmental Research.  Previously, Dr. Sheth held the position of Assistant Director for Research Infrastructures and Science Equity at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy. His portfolio spanned a broad spectrum of scientific and technological domains, including advanced manufacturing, physical science, research and development, satellite constellations, and clean energy technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before his White House appointments, Dr. Sheth distinguished himself as a Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters in the Astrophysics Division, overseeing missions such as SphereX, Spitzer, SOFIA, and Webb. In the Earth Science Division he managed the VALUABLES consortium to assess the socioeconomic benefits of Earth observations, and also worked on advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Sheth is the visionary founder and CEO of Empowered Earth Alliance, a nonprofit organization empowering local leaders to develop sustainable solutions for climate resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Sheth’s commitment to inclusion and equity is exemplary, earning him the NASA 2021 Medal for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Previously, he was the Director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), where he founded the National Astronomy Consortium (NAC) and the National International Exchange program dedicated to bringing more students from historically excluded groups into STEM in the United States, South Africa and countries across Africa, Chile, Brazil and India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Sheth was born and raised in Mumbai, India.  After emigrating to the US in his teens, he earned a BA in Physics from Grinnell College in Iowa, a MSc in Physics (with a thesis on Physics Education) at the University of Minnesota, and then a MSc and PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Maryland in College Park.  He was a postdoctoral fellow and then a permanent staff member at Caltech, and earned his tenure at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.  He has over 180 refereed papers with over 25000 citations.  Outside of academia, Dr. Sheth is actively involved in many volunteer and community organizing activities, and enjoys traveling, golfing, gardening, and cooking new vegan dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:34px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dr. Mamta Patel Nagaraja<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mamta-patel-nagaraja_0.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"494\" height=\"494\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mamta-patel-nagaraja_0.jpg?w=494\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"photo of Dr. Mamta Patel Nagaraja\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 48% 30%; object-position: 48% 30%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mamta-patel-nagaraja_0.jpg 494w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mamta-patel-nagaraja_0.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mamta-patel-nagaraja_0.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mamta-patel-nagaraja_0.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mamta-patel-nagaraja_0.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mamta-patel-nagaraja_0.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/mamta-patel-nagaraja_0.jpg?resize=400,400 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Dr. Mamta Patel Nagaraja<\/strong> is the NASA Associate Chief Scientist for Exploration and Applied Research in the Office of the Chief Scientist. In this role, she advises the Chief Scientist in the areas of exploration and science performed by humans in space. Previously, she was the Deputy Program Scientist for Space Biology where she guided a scientific investment strategy. Prior, Dr. Nagaraja served as the Deputy Director for NASA Science Engagement, leading a science communications portfolio of executive communications for NASA\u2019s senior leaders in science, visual science graphics, and digital media (social and web). Under her leadership, NASA Science spearheaded a strategic investment in sharing science in Spanish. She has also served at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as the lead mechanical engineer for an instrument designed for a planetary mission to Venus and as science operations engineer for the LADEE mission to the Moon. She began her career at NASA Johnson Space Center, training astronauts who flew aboard the U.S. Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS) and serving as a flight controller in the Mission Control Center. Among notable recognitions, in 2013 and 2017, she was selected for an interview to become an astronaut, and she served on the White House Council on Women and Girls. Dr. Nagaraja earned the NASA Exceptional Service medal for significant contributions to the ISS and the Fed100 award for leading the online live viewing of the 2017 total solar eclipse, which holds the record as the highest web traffic event in NASA\u2019s history. She holds a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University, a Master of Science in mechanical engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy in bioengineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Emory University School of Medicine. She enjoys this wonderful life with her husband and three children and comes from a large family, with five kids and dedicated, selfless parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Tylar Greene<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/greene-0.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"494\" height=\"494\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/greene-0.jpg?w=494\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Tylar Greene\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 48% 30%; object-position: 48% 30%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/greene-0.jpg 494w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/greene-0.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/greene-0.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/greene-0.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/greene-0.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/greene-0.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/greene-0.jpg?resize=400,400 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Tylar Greene<\/strong><\/strong>\u00a0is the Executive Officer in the Office of the Chief Scientist. Previously, she was the lead public affairs officer for the Earth science and climate portfolios in NASA\u2019s Office of Communications. Prior, she held communications positions in EPA\u2019s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Office of Pesticide Programs focusing on ecological impacts, and she\u2019s also held various positions in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, focusing on urban wildlife conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System, creating equitable access to the nation\u2019s public lands. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in geography\/GIS from The George Washington University, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:36px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LaVerne P. Drayton<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>(bio to come)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"organization\">OCS Organization<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg?w=1920\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Office of Chief Scientist organizational chart\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg?resize=1536,1152 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg?resize=900,675 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ocs-org-chart-as-of-feb-2024-v2.jpg?resize=1200,900 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"history\">OCS History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/chief-scientist-history\/\">NASA Chief Scientists throughout the years<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Chief Scientist serves as principal advisor to the NASA Administrator and other senior officials on agency science programs, strategic planning and the evaluation of related investments. The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) represents all of the scientific endeavors in the agency, ensuring they are aligned with and fulfill the administration’s science objectives. The [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":151352,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[11778],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[11494],"coauthors":[9510,12423],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"About OCS","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/about-ocs\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/about-ocs\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png"},"articleSection":"Organizations","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Garrett Shea"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher Brunner"}],"creator":["Garrett Shea","Christopher Brunner"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Organizations","Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS)"],"dateCreated":"2021-12-15T01:45:51Z","datePublished":"2021-12-15T01:45:51Z","dateModified":"2024-02-22T18:21:02Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"About OCS\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/about-ocs\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"index\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2021-12-15T01:45:51Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Organizations\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Organizations,Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS)\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Garrett Shea\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Christopher Brunner\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":10,"time_ago":"2 years","featured_image":{"id":151352,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/role-of-chief-scientist.png","title":"role-of-chief-scientist","alt":"Venn Diagram about the Role of the Chief Scientist","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/142509"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/topic"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/93"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/142509\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":618925,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/142509\/revisions\/618925"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142509"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=142509"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=142509"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=142509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}