Dr. Kim Waddell Named New Union of Concerned Scientists Board Chair

WASHINGTON-Dr. Kim Waddell, a prominent environmental scientist, assumed chairmanship of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) board of directors today. He has deep expertise in natural hazard mitigation, coastal and marine ecosystems, and other issues at the intersection of climate change and resource management. Dr. Waddell has been involved with UCS for nearly two decades, including as a board member and most recently as the acting president prior to the arrival of Dr. Gretchen Goldman in March 2025.

"Dr. Waddell's longstanding commitment to UCS and his insights as a solutions-oriented scientist provide critical organizational leadership as we meet this challenging moment as democracy and science are under siege," said Dr. Goldman. "His experience working with frontline communities as they deal with daily impacts of our changing climate will help inform how UCS continues to make meaningful impact in the world across all of our issues."

Dr. Waddell was the project lead for the current U.S. Virgin Islands Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan Update that was supported by FEMA and the Virgin Islands Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA). He is also the director for the Virgin Islands Established Program for Stimulating Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR)-a National Science Foundation-supported research capacity building program based at the University of the Virgin Islands that focuses on coral reef ecosystem monitoring, health, and resilience, as well as STEM education research and opportunities for local Virgin Islander students from K-12 through Master of Science degrees.

"It's an extraordinary honor to serve as chair of an organization that I deeply admire and helps inform my work as a scientist," said Dr. Waddell. "Science should be done in service to all people, and UCS exemplifies this principle by pursuing independent science for a healthy planet and safer world. We need that now more than ever."

He succeeds Dr. Anne Kapuscinski, professor in the University of California Santa Cruz Environmental Studies Department and director of the Coastal Science and Policy Program, who served as UCS board chair for 10 years.

"It has been a privilege working with the very talented UCS board and staff teams in support of this remarkable and impactful organization," said Dr. Kapuscinski. "I know we'll be in great hands as Dr. Waddell takes on this important leadership role."

Vice-Chair Peter A. Bradford will join Dr. Kapuscinski in continued board service as he steps down from that role. Board members Drs. Mahzarin Banaji and Steve Fetter will serve as vice chairs. After more than four decades of service, the inimitable Dr. Adele Simmons will join the UCS Emeritus board. Tucker Taft, vice president of language research at AdaCore, was welcomed to was welcomed to the board. His specialties include programming language design, advanced static analysis tools, formal methods, real-time systems, parallel programming and model-based development.