PNNL Scientists Apply Expertise to Issues Affecting Washington State

Source: Susan Baurer, PNNL, July 15, 2020

RICHLAND, Wash.—Nathan Baker and Phil Rasch, data and climate scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will join other top scientists and engineers as new members of the Washington State Academy of Sciences.

Membership is an honor but also a commitment, as WSAS directs its members to help solve some of the most vexing problems facing Washington state. They are asked to share their skills to help inform policy making decisions and to increase the role and visibility of science among the public.

PNNL now has a total of 25 WSAS members. Two of those previously elected, Allison Campbell and L. Ruby Leung, will now serve on the WSAS board of directors.

Nathan Baker

Nathan Baker is a data scientist working on problems in applied mathematics and biophysics, among other computational endeavors. He has developed new algorithms which support scientific research in other areas such as chemistry and biology. Internationally known for his leadership in physical and computational sciences, Baker has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and has been an invited speaker at scientific conferences, workshops, and seminars around the world.

Baker is a laboratory fellow—the highest researcher rank at PNNL—and is a University of Washington-PNNL distinguished faculty fellow and a joint appointee at UW. Baker works closely with leading researchers in computer science, applied mathematics, and quantum computing at UW, Washington State University, and Microsoft to grow quantum information sciences research in Washington state. He has briefed the Washington State Senate. Baker has been a member of many local boards and associations, and currently is a board member of the Columbia Basin College Foundation.

Philip Rasch

Phil Rasch is internationally known for his expertise in atmospheric chemistry and climate modeling, with a focus on developing efficient and accurate representations of atmospheric particles and clouds in computer models. Rasch has led the development of major U.S. efforts in Earth system modeling. He also studies the concept of geoengineering—interventions designed to modify the climate in order to counteract global warming.

Rasch has a track record of providing scientific input to national and international decision-makers, including contributions to the International Panel on Climate Change and participating in numerous national assessments on climate change. He’s testified before Congressional committees and served on numerous National Academy of Science panels. He ranks in the top one percent of most highly cited geoscientists, according to Clarivate Analytics.

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