Our work focuses on four main areas:
Building a world-class Drawdown Science team. We're growing our team of experts focused on accelerating global climate solutions who will provide critical insights, tools, and thought leadership to influential stakeholders and the broader public.
Building and releasing the Drawdown Roadmap and other frameworks. We're developing new, science-based frameworks to guide the implementation of climate solutions in the most effective way.
Developing tools for stakeholders. We're creating a suite of practical, web-based tools that help stakeholders in business, philanthropy, investing, and other areas advance science-base climate solutions.
Providing thought leadership. We're shaping global discussions and actions to effectively implement climate solutions.
Meet the Team
Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., is executive director of Project Drawdown and a world-renowned environmental scientist. His work focuses on finding new solutions to sustain the climate, ecosystems, and natural resources. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed scientific articles and had presentations featured at hundreds of international venues. Jon founded the University of Wisconsin Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment, served as the founding director of the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment, and served as executive director of the California Academy of Sciences.
Amanda D. Smith, Ph.D., joined Project Drawdown as senior scientist, built environment, in December 2022. Amanda is a researcher and analyst with expertise in building science and energy systems modeling. Her professional career includes academic, national laboratory, and industry positions. Most recently, she served as senior energy analyst at SOCOTEC USA. She received her doctorate from Mississippi State University.
Paul West, Ph.D., moved to his current position of senior scientist, ecosystems and agriculture, in September 2022. Paul is an ecologist researching solutions on managing lands and waters to improve food security, climate, nature, and people’s lives. More broadly, he is driven by conducting cutting-edge science and working with others to effect change on the ground. He previously worked at The Nature Conservancy and the University of Minnesota. He received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin.
James Gerber, Ph.D., joined Project Drawdown as senior scientist, data science, in January 2023. James is a data scientist with expertise on agriculture’s impact on Earth’s ecosystems, food security, and the interrelation of climate and food security. Lead author for the Sixth Assessment Report of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with a focus on development pathways, he comes to Project Drawdown from the University of Minnesota.
Yusuf Jameel, Ph.D., joined the team as associate scientist, data science, in January 2023. A multidisciplinary scientist with experience in water resources, public health, data analytics, and science communication, he focuses on a broad range of solutions at the intersection of climate, food, energy, water, social equity, and finance. He previously served as research manager for Drawdown Lift and as a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Florida.
Kate Marvel, Ph.D., joined Project Drawdown as senior scientist, climate change, in March 2023. Kate is a climate scientist and writer who has published extensively in both academic press and mainstream media. A chapter lead on the Fifth National Climate Assessment, she holds a doctoral degree in theoretical physics from Cambridge University. Previous positions include the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Stanford University.
