Battelle Names Sharon Collinge as New Director and Chief Scientist for National Ecological Observatory Network

BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Noted ecological expert Sharon K. Collinge was recently selected as the
Observatory Director and Chief Scientist for NEON, Battelle
announced today.

The National
Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a continental-scale
ecological observation facility, sponsored by the National
Science Foundation and operated by Battelle since 2016. The
NEON project collects and provides open data that characterizes and
quantifies complex, rapidly changing ecological processes across the
United States. The project’s comprehensive data, spatial extent and
remote sensing technology will enable the user community to tackle new
questions on a large scale.

Collinge, a professor at University
of Colorado (CU) Boulder, was director of the Environmental Studies
Program at the university from 2012 to 2015, after serving in a variety
of roles in environment, ecology and biology research and education.

“As a professional ecologist for the past three decades, I have long
been compelled by the NEON vision of long-term, continental scale
ecological data collection and synthesis to guide societal understanding
and response to environmental change,” Collinge said.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Kansas State University in Biology, a
Master of Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Biology,
and a Ph.D. from Harvard University in Landscape Ecology.

“Sharon’s areas of expertise include leading large, complex and
interdisciplinary environmental studies in addition to integrating
research, teaching and community engagement,” said Rich Leonard, Vice
President, Battelle Ecology. “This blend of scholarship and leadership
will serve the NEON program well and we are happy to have her join us,”
he said.

“Her selection resulted from a months-long, rigorous search and
interview process that was aided by members of the NEON Science,
Technology, and Education Advisory Committee (STEAC). We are delighted
with this outcome,” said Michael Kuhlman, Ph.D., Battelle’s Chief
Scientist.

Collinge begins her new position on February 20 with a transition from
her current responsibilities at CU Boulder to full commitment to the
NEON project occurring during the next few months.

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to
solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national
laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and
development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical
services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in
Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle makes the world
better by commercializing technology, giving back to our communities,
and supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
education. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.

Contacts

Battelle
Katy Delaney, 614-424-7208
[email protected]
or
T.R.
Massey, 614-424-5544
[email protected]