Biography of Robert T. Watson

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Prior to joining OSTP, Dr. Watson was Director of the Science Division and Chief Scientist for the Office of Mission to Planet Earth at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. From 1990-93, Dr. Watson served as Director of the Process Studies Program Office in NASA's Earth Science and Applications Division, previously serving (from 1987-90) as Branch Chief for Upper Atmospheric Research and Tropospheric Chemistry Programs. He served as a NASA Acting Program Scientist from 1980-87. In addition, Dr. Watson served as a scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California from 1976-87.

Since 1991, Dr. Watson has served as the Chair of the Science and Technical Advisory Panel to the Global Environmental Facility (World Bank, United Nations Development Program and United Nations Environment Program). He is Chair or Co-chair on three international assessments: Co-Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II - Impacts, Adaptation, and Mitigation; Co-chair, International WMO/UNEP Scientific Assessments of Ozone; and Chair, UNEP Global Biodiversity Assessment. He has served as a Technical Advisor to the United States government on climate change issues and has testified many times before U.S. Senate and House of Representatives committees on ozone and global warming.

Dr. Watson received eight awards from NASA for distinguished service over the years, as well as a number of accolades from other organizations, including: American Association for the Advancement of Science Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility (1993), American Meteorological Society Special Award "for notable efforts organizing and conducting international assessments in ozone depletion and global change" (1993), Designated member of UNEP's "The Global 500: The Roll of Honor for Environmental Achievement" (1989).

Dr. Watson received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Queen Mary College at London University in 1969 and his Ph.D. from London University in 1973.

Biography of Robert T. Watson

Speeches and Testimony