STRI scientist honored for her outstanding work in climate science
The Trump administration announced earlier this month that the leader of the ForestGEO Ecosystems and Climate Program will receive the government’s highest honor for leadership in science and technology.
Kristina Anderson-Teixeira (Photo courtesy Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)
Kristina Anderson-Teixeira, of the Smithsonian’s Tropical Research Institute, is the most recent Smithsonian recipient of the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government to outstanding scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent research careers and who show exceptional promise for leadership in science and technology.
Based at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia, Kristina specializes in forest ecosystem ecology, global change ecology, and climate protection through forest conservation.
“My approach combines data synthesis and analysis, quantitative ecology, and field research and focuses on understanding how climate — and climate change — shape ecosystems, and how ecosystems in turn regulate climate,” she explains. “I lead the Ecosystems & Climate Research Initiative for the Center for Tropical Forest Science-Forest Global Earth Observatory (CTFS-ForestGEO), leveraging this unique global forest monitoring network to understand forest responses and feedbacks to climate. My research themes include carbon cycling in forests worldwide, forest disturbance and recovery dynamics under a changing climate, and valuing forests for their climate regulation services.”
Established in 1996, the PECASE acknowledges the contributions scientists and engineers have made to the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and to community service as demonstrated by scientific leadership, public education, and community outreach. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy coordinates the PECASE with participating departments and agencies.
Kristina Anderson-Teixiera with Kelvin Droegemeier, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. (White House photo.)
Several Smithsonian scientists have previously been honored with this award:
- 2018 recipient: under review
- 2017 no nomination
- 2016 no nomination
- 2015 recipient: Kristina Anderson-Teixeira
- 2014 recipient: Nick Pyenson, NMNH
- 2013 recipient withdrawn
- 2012 recipient: Rossman Irwin, NASM
- 2011 no nomination
- 2010 Recipient/s: Justin Kasper, SAO
Pierre Comizzoli, SCBI [nomination via NiH]
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Posted: 12 July 2019
