Emily Sylak-Glassman
Deputy Associate Director for Earth Action in NASA’s Earth Science Division
Dr. Emily Sylak-Glassman is the Deputy Associate Director for Earth Action in NASA’s Earth Science Division at Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In that role, she manages a portfolio of activities aimed at using NASA Earth science for practical and innovative solutions that benefit people and the planet. Alongside deep science and technology expertise, Dr. Sylak-Glassman is recognized for her leadership, strategic planning, and consensus-building skills.
Currently directing NASA Earth Action’s work on the use of artificial intelligence, Dr. Sylak-Glassman led development of a strategy on the application of large Earth foundation models to decision-making. She has been at the forefront of efforts to expand NASA’s engagement with additional communities, including private sector partners, as well as expansion of science teams to include application specialists, data scientists, and technologists.
Dr. Sylak-Glassman has extensive policy experience. She was a senior policy analyst at NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, providing data- and evidence-driven insights to the highest levels of agency leadership. Her work to establish the office’s research approaches earned her an Exceptional Achievement medal.
Before joining NASA in 2019, Dr. Sylak-Glassman worked at the Science and Technology Policy Institute, a federally-funded research and development center. There, she worked with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and civil, defense, and intelligence agencies to provide in-depth analyses and technical expertise.
Dr. Sylak-Glassman earned B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Known for successful leadership of interdisciplinary projects, Dr. Sylak-Glassman’s own research centered on innovative methods for understanding photosynthesis in plants. She adapted spectroscopic techniques to understand how plants adapt to changing light conditions.
Dr. Sylak-Glassman’s deep love of nature and science shapes her and life, both in and out of the office. When not at work, she can be found experimenting with cooking projects or spending time exploring the outdoors with her family.