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Dr. Kartik Sheth is a globally recognized astrophysicist and strategic leader with a proven track record in driving innovation within space science and technology. He has held pivotal roles at NASA Headquarters, serving most recently as NASA’s Associate Chief Scientist where he helped develop policy and strategy for science and technology across the Agency. A world-renowned astrophysicist, his research focuses on galaxy formation and evolution.
Dr. Sheth’s illustrious career spans government, academia, nonprofits, and the White House. He served as Program Examiner at the Office of Management and Budget, shaping national R&D priorities and managing a an $8.5B budget for the DOE Office of Science. He also worked as Assistant Director for Research Infrastructures and Science Equity at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy where he spearheaded initiatives aimed at advancing critical and emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, clean energy generation in areas such as fusion and space solar power, radiation biology research, and the maintenance and growth of research and human capital infrastructure.
At NASA, Dr. Sheth was a Program Scientist and oversaw the launch and operations of flagship missions like James Webb and Spitzer, and development of a microeconomics framework for valuation of societal benefits from Earth observations. Dr. Sheth is the founder of Empowered Earth Alliance, promoting local self-reliance and problem-solving. In 2023, he was inducted as a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He holds multiple degrees in physics and astronomy and has authored over 180 scientific papers with 25,000+ citations.
His leadership in the Singapore Space & Technology Think Tank underscores his dedication to advancing the space industry across Asia and connecting the fast-growing space ecosystem in the region to the rest of the world.