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About AGCI
Since its foundation, the Aspen Global Change Institute has been working to facilitate critical scientific discussions on subjects in Earth systems science. Under the direction of its first scientific advisory board, AGCI held its first summer session in 1990. Since that first meeting, AGCI has held over 50 such workshops, gathering more than 1,000 scientists from 35 countries over that time. In addition to furthering research on a specific topic, these workshops benefit the broader community, as scientists who attend the meetings become ambassadors for interdisciplinary science, subsequently helping to break down disciplinary barriers and promoting relevant scientific engagement with the public.
Our Team
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James Arnott
Executive DirectorDr. James Arnott is the Executive Director of the Aspen Global Change Institute. James has worked for over a decade on climate change mitigation and adaptation. At AGCI, James guides the Institute’s programming, which includes an annual series of interdisciplinary workshops alongside various research and solutions-oriented initiatives. James’ own research seeks to understand how to better link scientific knowledge with decision-making through empirical studies on collaborative research and science funding. In 2011, James received the McCloy Fellowship in Environmental Policy from the American Council on Germany. James received a PhD in Environment & Sustainability from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Principia College. Currently, James is also a visiting scholar at the University of Michigan’s Graham Sustainability Institute. View James’ CV and GoogleScholar profile. Contact James at jamesa@agci.org or on Twitter, @jcarnott.
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Martín Bonzi
Program AssociateMartín Bonzi was born and raised in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina (Aspen’s Sister City). He graduated as an Economist from University of Buenos Aires and has been focusing his career on Energy Economics and Renewable Energy. He is a Photovoltaic Associate with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners with professional experience designing and installing solar PV systems, and is passionate about collaborating with finding sustainable solutions to the climate crisis.
Martín joined AGCI in February 2020. His main responsibilities include assisting with AGCI’s interdisciplinary scientific workshops, Energy Project, iRON Project, and collaborate in advancing and managing other program areas.
Contact Martín at: martinb@agci.org -
Liz Carver
Communications ManagerLiz Carver joined Aspen Global Change Institute in August 2020. Previously, Liz managed communications for Groundwork USA, a national network working at the nexus of the environment, equity, and civic engagement. At CLF Ventures, the market-solutions arm of Conservation Law Foundation, she provided project management, strategy development, and communications expertise to projects related to clean energy and climate change, sustainable food systems, and healthy communities. Before shifting to the environmental arena, Liz worked over 20 years producing science and history documentaries and websites for public television and nonprofit organizations. Liz holds a BA from Yale University and an MA in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University. Contact Liz: lizc@agci.org.
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Emily Jack-Scott
Program DirectorEmily Jack-Scott joined AGCI in 2015 from a professional background in forest science, forestry, arboriculture, and urban greening. Her primary responsibilities include AGCI's interdisciplinary scientific workshops and the Energy Project at AGCI. She holds a Master's in Forest Science (MFS) and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Yale University. Contact Emily: ejs@agci.org
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John Katzenberger
Co-Founder, Senior FellowJohn Katzenberger is Co-founder of the Aspen Global Change Institute. He is currently serving as a Senior Fellow with AGCI. His primary interests are in interdisciplinary research in the broad fields of Earth System Science and global environmental change and their application in society, particularly educational outreach. John has served as the principal investigator for numerous research and educational grants. Federal agency sponsors of his work include NASA, NOAA, NSF, USDA, EPA, and DOE. In 2014 he was elected as an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow “for distinguished contributions to interdisciplinary research on global environmental change and for support of researchers, educators and practitioners working to make this knowledge societally relevant.” Contact John: johnk@agci.org
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Elise Osenga
Community Science ManagerElise Osenga joined AGCI in 2013. Guided by her interests in ecosystem processes and the interface between science and public action, Elise's current projects include managing AGCI's soil moisture monitoring network, assisting with ACES's Forest Health Index, coordinating with research fellows, and educational outreach. Elise's background includes field work, environmental education, public communication, and non-profit operations. She acts as contributing editor for Proteus Science Communication and maintains a Certified Interpretive Guide standing with the National Association of Interpretation. Elise holds a B.A. in Biology and English from St. Olaf College and an M.A. in Conservation Biology from Miami University, Ohio. Contact Elise: eliseo@agci.org
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Julie Vano
Research DirectorJulie’s research interests include hydrology, water resource management, science policy, climate change impacts, and system dynamics. Her current work aims to better connect climate science and the applications community and use these connections to develop innovative ways to address climate impacts on local water resources. She holds an MS in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin and a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington. Contact Julie: jvano@agci.org
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Alyson Wright
Finance DirectorAlyson Wright is the Finance Director at Aspen Global Change Institute. She is responsible for managing internal financial and accounting systems, structuring AGCI's policies and procedures, and overseeing organizational compliance. She has experience managing non-profits and small businesses and is active with startup communities and initiatives to support women in technology. Alyson has done research for several award-winning authors assisting with their books on battery technology and world religions, among other topics. Contact Alyson: awright (at) agci.org
Board of Directors
Dr. Rosamond L. Naylor
Board President
Director, Program on Food Security and the Environment
Prof., Department of Environmental Earth System Science
Stanford University
Dr. Ken Caldeira
Chairman of the Board
Department of Global Ecology
Carnegie Institution for Science
Dr. Jennifer Burney
Associate Professor, School of Global Policy & Strategy
University of California, San Diego
Dr. Marty Hoffert
Professor of Physics (Emeritus)
New York University
Mr. John Katzenberger
Co-founder and President Emeritus
Aspen Global Change Institute
Mr. Michael Stranahan
Secretary and Treasurer
Advisory Board
Dr. Jill Baron
Ecosystem Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Senior Research Ecologist, Colorado State University
Dr. Rick Chappell
AGCI Co-founder
Professor of Physics (Emeritus)
Vanderbilt University
Dr. Lisa Dilling
Director, Western Water Assessment
Prof., Environmental Studies
University of Colorado, Boulder
Dr. Katharine Mach
Senior Research Scientist, Department of Earth System Science
Stanford University
Dr. Angeline Pendergrass
Project Scientist I, Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory
National Center for Atmospheric Research
Dr. Imtiaz Rangwala
Western Water Assessment
Research Scientist, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES)
University of Colorado, Boulder
Dr. Vaclav Smil, FRSC
Distinguished Professor
University of Manitoba
Dr. Donald J. Wuebbles
Harry E. Preble Endowed Professor
Department of Atmospheric Sciences
University of Illinois
About AGCI
AGCI has become an intellectual proving ground, a ferment for new ideas and concepts, and a place where the different disciplines actually talk, and progress. Hal Harvey
What We Do
AGCI has been the most prominent place for developing interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary dialogues between scientists and practitioners.Guy Brasseur
Get Involved
We are called to be architects of the future, not its victims. R. Buckminster Fuller