2020 Board Candidate Statements
The Nominations Committee is pleased to put forward the following list of candidates to fill the four open seats on the CSA Board of Directors. From this list, the two candidates with the most votes will be elected to join the CSA Board. Elected candidates will serve a 3-year term beginning in May/June.
As you review the candidate profiles, we urge you to evaluate them on the skills and ideas each might bring to help advance our still fledgling organization. We rely on Board members to shape the future of the Association by establishing policy, securing support for operations, and ensuring that the organization can achieve its mission and carry out our strategic plan (read more about board member responsibilities here). We’re a growing and dynamic field in a growing and dynamic world, and we are still in the midst of establishing the structures and practices that can best support you and your work.
The board has identified two high priority needs for open positions:
- Fundraising (specifically regarding major donors, sponsorships, and organizational partnerships)
- Organizational governance (specifically board maturation, and transitioning from working to governing boards).
The candidates:
Click below to see full candidate statement:
Calvin A. Cupini, Program Manager Citizen Science Clean Air Carolina
Creator of the AirKeepers program, interested in the “now what” of our work through the law and policy working group, community partnerships, and innovative fundraising.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5071792639ef47729fad54da835d37d3How has citizen science inspired you?
I grew up in St. Louis in a family of educators. My grandmother was a lifelong principal, ending her career at a “last chance” high school for students who’ve been expelled more than once. She taught me the story of a young boy throwing dying starfish back in the ocean. Though unable to save them all, she always reminded me of his mantra , “it matters to this one.”
When I hosted my first Citizen Science event in 2016, I thought it was a neat way to use air sensors, GIS, and “crowdsourced data” to do neat things with map visualizations. That was until I met the participants, like Ron Ross, who had spent decades advocating for his neighborhood on the West Side of Charlotte. He was fighting against injustice, and decades of pollution on behalf of his neighbors. His passion, and that of his partners showed me that they were willing to do anything to improve the lives of their community. That included working with me, to measure a few blocks of air in the middle of a July day for my silly maps.
What could possibly be done with these low cost sensors that would make even a dent in the decades of struggle the community had endured? What could I do that would even matter?
It hit me.
Ron saving starfish, and his efforts mattered to more than just me.
The CSA board would like to build capacity in the areas of development/fundraising and organizational governance. With these in mind, what skills and what types of experience would you bring to the CSA board? Please include examples of past experience in these areas.
In the recent past, I served to assist the CSA in fundraising calls with air sensor manufacturers for the last conference, securing donations from more than one organization, as well as contributing from my own.
At Clean Air Carolina, I have been able to create and sustain a revenue positive program from its inception in 2016. This includes grants from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the American Geophysical Union, and Rotary Club, as well as innovative solutions to sponsor air monitoring stations around the state.
I am also a manager of events, with a wide range of stakeholders, partners, and locations, including civic academic partners, EJ communities, and interdisciplinary professional fields. I am currently on the planning committee and chair of two sessions, Education and Funding Opportunities, for the Air Sensors International Conference in Pasadena this May. It is the foremost conference for Citizen Science related Air Quality work, policy impacts, health assessments, education opportunities and environmental justice applications of low cost air quality tools. I also am leading the conference’s community engagement mixer, for the facilitation of shared expertise among community scientists.
For the governance and structure of my AirKeepers and Citizen Science programs, I have created the first science advisory board, and have convened quarterly meetings. I also design and write my own newsletter “The Monitor” on citizen science, personal stories and impacts of activities. I have also served as an advisor to SciStarter, the City of Denver, the Museum of Richmond, and others in their CS work.
I am rolling off of a leadership role with the Charlotte Hub of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers, a young professional’s community impact organization. There I was elected to a leadership position, and supervised the largest recruitment class to date, and developed standards and practices for data management, membership roles and records, and standardized communications and internal structures. I will continue to be a member, but am transitioning my role to the next leaders.
I am also a member of two of the working groups within the CSA, the EJ Practitioners, and Law and Policy working group.
What additional relevant skills and experience would you bring the board?
I am a pretty big tech nerd. I am often looped into conversations regarding the IT infrastructure, software tools, and best use of collaborative tools around my office and in my volunteering. I have a passion for it, and can be an interface for my partners and their tech-related vendors/tools.
I was recently given an award for being a finalist in the ESRI StoryMapper of the Year Contest. I am a GIS wonk, who sees spatial patterns, and data-intertwined storytelling to be a novel and innovative tool.
I am an experienced public speaker, and emcee.
What is your vision for how CSA should serve the citizen science community?
The traditional science community has long had a model for collaboration and improvement through convening. Conferences, journals, and institutions have advanced professionals in sciences and the work of the researchers. Unfortunately, this system has faults that have left out members of the community.
In the CSA, I already see an organization that has been inclusive, and thoughtful, and deliberate about bringing together one and all who would like to learn, lead, and lend a hand to making the world a better place. I envision a future CSA that acts as a catalyst for the efforts of communities everywhere, to sharpen each other’s swords, enhance the reach and impact of their efforts, and deepen the bonds between the people make science a part of their lives. The traditional paradigms of science, policy, and community input are shifting rapidly, and the CSA is in the position to establish a new model for the promotion, dissemination and enhancement of actions the community is already taking to broaden our understanding of sciences.
For me, the most important part of crowdsourcing is the crowd. After all, I can learn just as much from Ron as he ever learned from me.
Alan Edwards, Multiple companies, as CEO
International business executive, consultant and entrepreneur, with STEM background & five degrees, that has raised multiple multi-million project financings. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanedwardslajolla/
How has citizen science inspired you?
I have a STEM and Business educational and professional background, and citizen science has been a long term interest of mine. As part of both my business interests and my academic (Doctorate candidate) interests I have been researching the issues and barriers to CS data sharing, and the benefits that can be accrued particularly by our younger generation in CS program participation.
I would like to see all CSAs flourish around the world, particularly in underdeveloped nations where funding is particularly sparse. I believe that I can assist in that by bringing a fresh perspective and innovative ideas based on sound business practice.
The CSA board would like to build capacity in the areas of development/fundraising and organizational governance. With these in mind, what skills and what types of experience would you bring to the CSA board? Please include examples of past experience in these areas.
I have established and managed my own businesses for three decades employing up to 75 consulting staff in multiple countries. I have been Principal Consultant in Big 4 type firms. My consulting specialty is in identifying innovative strategies to build competitive advantage in both public corporations and government entities; and have been responsible for over thirty strategic plans to very significant public and government entities, as well as a handful of start-ups.
I have sophisticated professional sales and marketing expertise; and an ability to govern large and diverse groups of professionals. I am also a certified Company Director, and am close to completing my fifth degree, a Doctorate in Business Administration (all but dissertation) and have been on the Dean’s list multiple times. My other degrees, two bachelors and two masters degrees, are in STEM and business areas.
What additional relevant skills and experience would you bring the board?
I am finalizing this month the raise of the initial $20 million via a venture capitalist, with funding commencing April 2020, as part of an $80 million revenue raise phase 1 business development of which I will continue to be the CEO and a major stock holder.
Despite my academic credentials, I do not regard myself as an academic but a highly successful consultant and business person. I believe that this diversity would be of value to the CSA Board.
What is your vision for how CSA should serve the citizen science community?
My vison for the CSA is:
1. Become a facilitator for CS discourse providing the ability for diverse groups and individuals to network and create a public benefit through fostering synergy.
2. Draw in corporations who wish to develop and enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) credentials.
3. Significantly engage our younger generations in contributing to CS discourse through motivating them to engage in CS projects, preferably through embedding this as a standard curriculum course.
4. Provide professional networking, engagement, and professional development opportunities for tertiary students who seek a career in environmental science or related areas.
Melinda Butsch Kovacic, Professor, Associate Dean, CINCINNATI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
A passionate community-partnered epidemiologist is on a mission to promote health & grow productive capacity via citizen science in under-resourced communities.
How has citizen science inspired you?
I am interested in health and environmental health research and I have found citizen science training to be invaluable in creating mutually beneficial research with my community partners. Citizen science empowers people to engage with research. It creates in them a sense of agency and social capital. The research that results is much richer than when I have designed, implemented and collected the data myself. Citizen science isn’t always easy. There is a great deal of thought into each step, but it creates a bridge like no other kind of community-engaged research.
The CSA board would like to build capacity in the areas of development/fundraising and organizational governance. With these in mind, what skills and what types of experience would you bring to the CSA board? Please include examples of past experience in these areas.
I have been on a non-profit board since 2014, serving as vice chair for one year and as chair for the last 2 years (ending in December 2019). I began a term on a national non-profit board in January. I have not yet had the opportunity to serve on a board of a scientific organization as I had not found an organization that I wanted to serve in such a capacity. However, I would love to serve the CitSci board as I truly believe in its mission and vision.
What additional relevant skills and experience would you bring the board?
I am an epidemiologist however, I love to work with interdisciplinary teams. I have a basic science background that uniquely complements my clinical and community-engaged research. I am also a Master of Polarity Thinking. The Polarity Management model uses a distinct set of principles to deal with ongoing, chronic issues experienced by organizations that are often viewed as unavoidable and unsolvable. Finally, as an Associate Dean of Research in my college, I mentor faculty of all types on how to build and monitor their research enterprises to achieve greater success. Since I began my position 5 years ago, our college awards have increased from $800K/year to nearly $4 million/year. This year, I am serving as the first faculty fellow of our university’s Office of Research where the goal of my project is to create a plan using Polarity Thinking to implement the Office of Research’s 2030 Strategic Plan.
What is your vision for how CSA should serve the citizen science community?
I believe that Citizen Science is a great approach for young people to learn science and for adults to engage with science and research of all types. My vision is that schools and community groups know its value and that it is accessible to all people. Our 2021 Conference planning group has been working on our theme and I love that collectively we are envisioning a world where Citizen Science is by all and for all. I think for this to happen, more researchers need to see and trust in its value and so marketing its value will be important to getting more support and funding for Citizen Scientist-engaged research.
Prof. K.S. Jagannatha Rao, Director and CEO, Institute for Scientific Research and Technological Advances (INDICASAT AIP)
Dr. Rao is building Biomedical Research and Education. Rao established Future scientists programs for young school kids and developing Science-based Healthy kitchens.
How has citizen science inspired you?
In Panama, we first develop Citizen Science Program with starting discussion point “Stress” and citizens from all walks of life play a role in developing our neuroscience division. We understand the role of science communication and citizens role to better frame the scientific developments to the needs of public. This interaction first time impacted our programs in aging research in Panama, which first of its kind in Central America
The CSA board would like to build capacity in the areas of development/fundraising and organizational governance. With these in mind, what skills and what types of experience would you bring to the CSA board? Please include examples of past experience in these areas.
We organized public awareness programs for public and school kids on new innovation in sciences to give them the most authentic information on human wellness and diseases.
Many of the programs are supported by National Banks, local philanthropic donors and International organizations. We developed Flash labs to educate citizen science, and other governmental and non-governmental people and attract both public and private funds for these activities. We are invite excellent citizens with innovative ideas as public consultants for our research areas. These experiences from the least developed country scientifically, i can bring my rich experience to CSA board on the opportunities to get donations and mainly to develop joint programs between countries to experience differences and difficulties, how to respect and over come culture and diversity and how to build Citizen science as global model.
What additional relevant skills and experience would you bring the board?
I work for Central America, China, India, Middle east and Africa and I have cultural diversity and multiple complexes exposure and also I have experience to overcome these issues. Also I have great experience to attract funds under different countries situations. I will be the examples to develop Global Citizen Science model
What is your vision for how CSA should serve the citizen science community?
CSA will be the team spirit with guiding force to understand the needs and challenges the community faces and how scientific community solve these aspects. In Panama, it is a big change as Scientists belong to different segment and we are interlinking them. This is true all over the world. The missing part is Global policy for Citizen Science Community to play key role in Science innovations for human benefits. Example: Corona Virus issue- all in chaos and community under great threat. This is the times Community science Citizens-Scientists-Doctors-Government should work together to solve global crisis and not to develop fear condition.
Ted Smith, Associate Professor, Environmental Medicine, University of Louisville
Passionate about science and backbone organizations like CSA. An empathetic listener and joyful fundraiser with gov/org/com/edu experience.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedsmith/ https://louisville.edu/medicine/news/uofl2019s-envirome-institute-creates-louisville-data-commons-to-support-community-health-research
How has citizen science inspired you?
I have been inspired by the amazing care that exists in communities to solve significant social and environmental challenges. I’ve been fortunate to lead some of these including the large scale AIRLouisville Project for real time asthma monitoring, the syndication of SmellMyCity from Pittsburgh to Louisville and more recently, the Louisville Data Commons open data portal for data gather by Louisvillians about Louisvile.
The CSA board would like to build capacity in the areas of development/fundraising and organizational governance. With these in mind, what skills and what types of experience would you bring to the CSA board? Please include examples of past experience in these areas.
I have severed on six public/civic boards in Louisville and one national board. I am a veteran fundraiser and have personally raised more than $3M for the boards I have served on. Most notable were gifts from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and PNC Foundation.
What additional relevant skills and experience would you bring the board?
As an active academic researcher, I’m connected to senior leadership at EPA, NIH, and NASA and am excited to harmonize federal programs with independent nonprofit organizations that do “the real work” of citizen Science.
What is your vision for how CSA should serve the citizen science community?
CSA is the leading association in this field and as such is a fantastic connector and advocate for Citizen Science. I see many growth opportunities that I would like to help cultivate. Specifically efforts to engage the Science Fair youth and the ISEF organization. These growth opportunities are likely to include new fundraising/sponsorship support for CSA.