Background
Dr. Keith Gaddis is the program manager for the Ecological Conservation program and the program scientist for the Biological Diversity program at NASA Headquarters. He is a former AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, visiting assistant professor at Texas A&M University and Peace Corps volunteer in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Keith is an ecologist and biogeographer by training with expertise using remote sensing and genetics to address questions in ecology, evolution and conservation biology. He has worked in ecosystems across Africa, South America, Europe and North America—examining how environmental disturbances have shaped natural history and determine future population viability. Keith is a vocal advocate for science communication and the use of science for public decision-making.
At NASA, Keith manages the budget and panel review process, facilitates award funding, supports investigator reporting and collaboration and prepares internal and external communications materials for the Biological Diversity and Ecological Forecasting programs. Keith represents NASA in several interagency relationships with other executive branch (e.g. NSF, DOI and EPA) and private organizations (e.g. Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic and Microsoft).
Keith is involved in several NASA Earth Science Division and NASA Science Mission Directorate efforts to open transparency and opportunity across NASA funded activities. In 2020, he received NASA’s Early Career Public Achievement Medal.
Keith received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, with a double major in Biology and Environmental Science. He completed his Ph.D. in Biology at UCLA in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.