by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Dawn Wright: As the Chief Scientist at Esri, Dr. Wright has contributed extensively to ocean informatics, marine data science, and geospatial standards. Her work bridges the gap between marine biology and geospatial tech.
Jack Dangermond: Founder and president of Esri, the world’s leading GIS software company, Dangermond has been an instrumental figure in promoting the use of GIS technology across various sectors for spatial understanding and planning.
Dr. Sarah Parcak: A space archaeologist, Dr. Parcak uses satellite imaging to discover ancient sites. Winner of the TED Prize, she’s an advocate for the application of geospatial technology in archaeology.
Dr. Vanessa Lawrence CB: Serving as the Director-General of the Ordnance Survey, the UK’s national mapping agency, Dr. Lawrence has driven the adoption of geospatial technologies at national and international levels.
Prof. Michael Goodchild: A notable academic in the field of GIS, Professor Goodchild’s work at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has laid the groundwork for many current geospatial technologies and methodologies.
Charlie Loyd: As a satellite imagery specialist formerly with Mapbox, Loyd has been at the forefront of capturing and utilizing high-resolution images for enhanced geospatial applications.
Nigel Clifford: Former CEO of the Ordnance Survey, Clifford has played a pivotal role in advancing geospatial tech, particularly focusing on the integration of new technologies with traditional mapping practices.
Dr. Karen Kemp: A professor at the University of Southern California, Dr. Kemp has significantly impacted the geospatial realm through her interdisciplinary approach, connecting geospatial tech with environmental and urban studies.
Steven Ramage: As Head of External Relations for the Group on Earth Observations, Ramage focuses on promoting the importance of earth observation data and its integration into geospatial technologies.
Rebecca Moore: As the Director of Google Earth, Moore’s initiatives, especially ‘Google Earth Engine,’ have made geospatial analysis accessible to the masses, allowing for in-depth environmental monitoring and assessment.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Elon Musk: As the CEO of SpaceX, Musk’s ambition to make humanity multiplanetary has led to the development of groundbreaking technologies, including the Falcon and Starship rockets. His vision of colonizing Mars is setting the direction for future space tech innovations.
Dr. Gwynne Shotwell: The President and COO of SpaceX, Dr. Shotwell has been instrumental in the company’s numerous space endeavors, ensuring its rockets not only reach space but also return, emphasizing reusability.
Jeff Bezos: The founder of Blue Origin, Bezos has a vision of millions of people living and working in space. New Shepard and New Glenn are testament projects to this dream, aiming for suborbital and orbital flights, respectively.
Dr. Robert Zubrin: A staunch advocate for Mars colonization, Dr. Zubrin, founder of the Mars Society, has been developing technology and strategies, like the Mars Direct plan, aiming for cost-effective Mars missions.
Prof. Sara Seager: An astrophysicist and planetary scientist at MIT, Seager’s work is focused on exoplanet atmospheres and the potential for alien life. She’s involved in missions like the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) that searches for habitable exoplanets.
Dr. K. Sivan: As the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Dr. Sivan has overseen projects like the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission. Under his leadership, ISRO is emerging as a significant player in advanced space tech, especially in satellite deployment.
Peter Beck: The CEO of Rocket Lab, Beck is behind the Electron rocket that provides small satellite launch services. His vision to open space for business is making satellite deployment more accessible and affordable.
Tory Bruno: As the CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), Bruno oversees the development of rockets like the Vulcan Centaur. With decades of experience, ULA under Bruno’s leadership continues to be a reliable provider for space launch services.
Chris Lewicki: Having been involved with Mars Exploration Rover missions, Lewicki later became the president of Planetary Resources, focusing on asteroid mining—a futuristic vision for resource utilization beyond Earth.
Dr. Mae Jemison: An astronaut, physician, and engineer, Dr. Jemison became the first Black woman to travel in space. Post-NASA, she’s been leading 100 Year Starship, a project focused on ensuring the capability for interstellar human travel within the next century.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Sylvia Earle: An oceanographer and founder of Mission Blue, Dr. Earle has been at the forefront of ocean exploration and conservation. Her Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER) company focuses on technical and operational support for scientific, commercial, and defense-related communities.
Oliver Steeds: The founder and CEO of Nekton, Steeds leads a team dedicated to exploring and conserving the ocean’s depths. Nekton’s missions, supported by cutting-edge tech, aim to accelerate sustainable governance of the world’s oceans.
Ben Kinnaman: As the CEO of Greensea Systems, Kinnaman’s work revolves around improving the relationship between humans and machines at sea. They integrate robotics, autonomous platforms, and advanced navigation systems for better marine operations.
Erika Montague: A marine technologist at the forefront of deep-sea exploration. She has played a pivotal role in developing novel instruments for oceanographic research, including underwater imaging and laser systems.
Brennan Phillips: An ocean engineer focused on creating tools and methods for deep-sea exploration. Phillips’ innovations, such as soft robotic arms for deep-sea manipulations, allow scientists to explore previously unreachable parts of the ocean.
Boris Teillant: Co-founder of Open Ocean Robotics, Teillant uses AI-powered autonomous boats for ocean data collection. His aim is to offer solutions that are both cost-effective and environmentally-friendly for ocean data gathering.
Dr. Jyotika Virmani: Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Dr. Virmani is dedicated to advancing marine research through the development of cutting-edge technologies, such as robotic platforms and deep-sea mapping tools.
John R. Delaney: A pioneer in the use of undersea cabled observatories, Delaney’s work enables real-time, long-term ocean studies. He’s spearheading the OOI (Ocean Observatories Initiative), which integrates advanced sensor systems to monitor the marine environment.
Danielle Dixson: An advocate for marine conservation through technology, Dixson leverages virtual reality (VR) for coral reef exploration. Her work helps bring the magic of underwater realms to a broader audience, emphasizing the importance of their conservation.
Prof. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg: A marine biologist dedicated to researching climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. He’s actively involved in developing new technologies for reef monitoring and has been instrumental in projects using AI and 3D modeling to monitor and restore coral reefs.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Tom Inglesby: As the Director of the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Inglesby’s work revolves around biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, and emerging infectious diseases. He is at the forefront of discussions concerning biothreats and their implications.
Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP: A researcher at Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security, Dr. Kahn focuses on public health preparedness, biosecurity, and One Health—the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Dr. Filippa Lentzos: A leading expert in biological threats, Dr. Lentzos at King’s College London, works on the governance of dual-use research, focusing on the intersection of science and security.
Dr. Amesh Adalja: A Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Dr. Adalja’s work is centered on emerging infectious diseases, bioterrorism, and pandemic preparedness.
Gigi Gronvall, PhD: As a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Dr. Gronvall specializes in the security implications of biotechnologies and the development of policies to counter biological threats.
Dr. Beth Cameron: Currently the VP for Global Biological Policy and Programs at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, Dr. Cameron has been involved in various biosecurity initiatives, including the Global Health Security Agenda.
Rocco Casagrande, PhD: As the Managing Director of Gryphon Scientific, Dr. Casagrande leads a team of experts studying the implications of biotechnologies and assisting governments in understanding biosecurity threats.
Jamie Yassif, PhD: With a focus on biodefense and biosecurity policy, Dr. Yassif has been instrumental in advocating for robust funding and attention to biopreparedness on a national level.
Dr. Megan J. Palmer: A Senior Research Scholar at Stanford University, Dr. Palmer’s work touches on risk governance in biotechnologies and the responsible development of bio-innovations.
Dr. Michael J. Selgelid: As the Director of the Centre for Human Bioethics at Monash University, Dr. Selgelid emphasizes ethical considerations in biosecurity and biodefense.
