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Pedro Espina

Pedro Espina

Department of Defense


Bio

  • Ph.D.
  • Lead, Geophysics Research
  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Pedro Espina serves as Lead for Geophysics Research at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Prior to joining NGA, Dr. Espina served as: International Science and Standards Advisor at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, 2015-2016); Senior Science and Technology advisor at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI, 2013-2015); and Executive Director of the National Science and Technology Council at the Executive Office of the President (EOP, 2010- 2013). While at the EOP, he also worked at the Office of Science and Technology Office (OSTP) as Policy Analyst for: Biometrics & Identity Management; Forensic Science; Transnational Organized Crime; and Network and Information Technology Research & Development. In addition, Dr. Espina represented the EOP in the National Intelligence Science and Technology Committee (NISTC). In 2010, Dr. Espina served as Program Analyst for Climate Change at the Office of the Director of NIST from where he coordinate the NIST response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In that effort, he served as a member of the Flow Rate Technical Group that calculated the size of the oil spill - an effort that earned him the U.S. Department of Commerce Silver Medal, the U.S. Department of Energy Secretary of Energy's Achievement Award, and U.S. Geological Survey Director's Award for Exemplary Service to the Nation. From 2008 to 2009, Dr. Espina directed the International Office of the Bureau international des poids et mesures (BIPM) in Paris, France and from 2005-2008, he served as the Executive Secretary of the Joint Committee of the Regional Metrology Organizations & BIPM managing an international accord that promoted the reduction of technical barriers to trade. Dr. Espina served as: Scientific Advisor at the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory of NIST (2004-2005); Leader of the Fluid Flow Group at the Process Measurement Division of NIST (1999- 2004); and Mechanical Engineer in the NIST Fluid Flow Group (1987-1999) - where his research earned him the U.S. Department of Commerce Silver Medal in 1991 and the NIST William P. Slichter Award in 1993. During that time, he served as adjunct professor at Penn State University. Presently, Dr. Espina is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University, where he also serves as an adjunct professor. Dr. Espina holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, and M.S. and Ph.D. in fluid mechanics from the University of Maryland.