Dr. Kartik Sheth’s career spans academia, non-profits, and government. For the past seven years, Sheth has been a program scientist in both the Astrophysics and Earth Science Divisions at NASA, overseeing space missions, and research and development programs in cutting-edge technology and working towards some of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
Previously, Dr. Sheth served as the Assistant Director for Research Infrastructures and Science Equity in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President at the White House. There he led a range of activities from oversight of the nation’s science and technology research enterprise, advanced manufacturing, environmental justice and increasing equity with innovative strategy and policy solutions. He was previously the Director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and founded the National Astronomy Consortium, a unique partnership of 17 HBCUs, 7 majority institutions and 3 science centers, dedicated to increasing inclusion and diversity in science. He is also the founder of a non-profit named Empowered Earth Alliance, which seeks to empower local leaders with scientific, technical, business knowledge so they can develop their own sustainable solutions.
In his career, Sheth has been an architect of national and international programs advancing equity, racial justice and inclusion. In 2022, he received NASA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award for his work leading the Anti-Racism Action group and other activities at the agency. He is also a member of the NASA HQ AANHPI ERG Leadership team and continues to advocate and consult for inclusion, equity and diversity actions within and outside of NASA.
He has been involved in various volunteer activities, most importantly as a co-chair of an Environmental Justice group for the DC Chapter for the Climate Reality Project, a violence prevention specialist for the LA Commission on Assaults against Women (now known as Peace over Violence), and a sexual harassment prevention trainer at U. Maryland. He is also a member of the NASA HQ AANHPI Employee Resource Group Leadership team and continues to advocate and consult for inclusion, equity, and diversity actions within and outside of NASA.
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Image Credit: Courtesy of Kartik Sheth (used by permission)