Abstract:  Using specific anecdotes to illustrate my winding path from Mumbai to NASA.  I will also describe my 2+ decades of work in the fields of diversity, equity and inclusion.  I will share what has worked and not worked for me as a scientist, a leader, a community organizer, and a policy maker and engage the audience in discussion.



Dr. Kartik Sheth has been a Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in the Astrophysics and Earth Science Divisions. His portfolio included space missions in all stages of their lifecycle from formulation to extended operations, specifically the James Webb Space Telescope, Spitzer, SOFIA, and the Origins Space Telescope Concept. He managed programs in scientific research and technology from infrared to radio wavelengths, managed the Astrophysics Theory program, the Senior Review of Missions and the Hubble Fellowship program. In Earth Science, he primarily worked in Applied Science overseeing the VALUABLES consortium that has created a microeconomics framework for the value of earth observations for societal benefits, and worked on UN Sustainable Development Goals. He also served as the co-chair of the Directorate’s Anti-Racism Action group and chair of the NASA HQ Asian American and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group. Outside of his service at NASA, Dr. Sheth also founded and led a non-profit to inspire local leaders to become problem solvers to create and own solutions to their challenges and worked with a team in Botswana on their challenges with sustainable urban development and housing.  Prior to NASA, Dr. Sheth was tenured as an Astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory where he worked extensively in Chile on the Atacama Large Millimeter / Submillimeter Array, and worked in Brazil and South Africa on programs to create the net generation of scientists and engineers – specifically in South Africa, he created what was then called NINE – to create mentor pods between US and South Africa for graduate students in astronomy and physics. At NRAO, he was also Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and founded the National Astronomy Consortium – a partnership of 17 HBCUs and majority universities and government centers to bring more students from underserved and underrepresented groups into STEM. 

Currently, Dr. Kartik Sheth is the Assistant Director for Research Infrastructures and Science Equity at the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy.  develops strategies and policy for innovation in the S+ T enterprise and takes a comprehensive approach to scientific and research infrastructures, including their capacity to inspire STEM, anchor communities, foster economic opportunity, advance equity, and drive unparalleled R+D.   He also provides policy advice on advanced manufacturing, advanced materials and critical minerals, physical sciences, and technology transfer.  In addition he works with colleagues on aspects of climate change adaptation and sustainability, earth observations and issues related to space policy. 

Dr. Sheth received his B.A. in physics from Grinnell College, her MS in Physics from the University of Minnesota, focusing on physics education, and a MS and PhD in Astronomy from the University of Maryland. He was a postdoctoral fellow and then a staff scientist at Caltech and subsequently a tenured astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory before coming to NASA.

 

Astro Colloquium and 'coffee & cookies' Department gathering (3:45-4:00pm)

Please click the link to join: https://psu.zoom.us/j/92637070419