Stantec scientist appointed to the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program’s Division Committee

Stantec’s Dr. Francis Wiese has been appointed to the Division Committee for the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The GRP was created in 2013, with $500 million in criminal settlement funds from the companies involved in Deepwater Horizon. The studies, projects, and activities conducted by the GRP are dedicated to advance and apply science, engineering, and public health knowledge to enhance offshore energy safety, environmental protection, human health, and community resilience.

Based in Anchorage, Alaska, Francis serves as Stantec’s lead for Marine Sciences. He has spent more than 25 years working in the marine environment. He designs, implements, and manages large multi-disciplinary, multi-institution marine ecosystems programs throughout the world’s ocean. Francis brings integrated, innovative solutions to real-world problems in areas of marine ecosystem resiliency, food security, sustainable resource use, adaptive management, and climate change.

In his new role as a member of the GRP Division Committee, Francis will provide intellectual and strategic leadership to the GRP and its staff by helping implement the GRP's strategic vision, playing a critical role in identifying opportunities that will advance program initiatives, conceptualizing and designing program activities, assisting with program outreach, and evaluating program impact.

“I am honored to join this distinguished group and help realize the full potential of the GRP to be an impactful and successful program,” says Francis. “It is imperative that we learn from history and use all resources at our disposal to help ensure a better, safer, and sustainable future.”

“It is a pleasure to see Francis’ skill set added to the distinguished panel of experts on the Division Committee for the GRP,” says Richard Andrachek, senior vice president for Environmental Services at Stantec. “Francis’ broad and deep knowledge, and his applied project experience, will lead to his meaningful and insightful contributions to the work being undertaken by the Division Committee.”

“As the Gulf Research Program designs programs that realize our 2020-2024 strategic plan, we’ll be seeking ways to have positive impact, build partnerships, and find new ways to bridge knowledge to action,” says Lauren Alexander Augustine, GRP executive director. “We’re delighted that Francis is joining the GRP Division committee to help guide this program. He is a fantastic addition to our already impressive roster and brings a demonstrated record of research and innovation. We are excited for Francis to contribute to the GRP programming his strategic thinking, collaborative spirit, and familiarity with industry, academia, and NGO communities involved in offshore and marine systems.”

Francis also serves on the Scientific Steering Committee for the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH), the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) Marine Ecosystem Collaboration, the National Academies’ Standing Committee on Understanding Gulf Ocean Systems Research, the Advisory Board for the Coastal Seabird Survey Team (COASST), and as chair of the Research Advisory Committee for Clear Seas. He is a prolific speaker at conferences and to the public, has extensively published in scientific journals and magazines, is a technical reviewer for more than 20 international journals, and enjoys working and traveling throughout the world from pole to pole.

For more information on the GRP visit https://www.nationalacademies.org/gulf/about#sl-three-columns-b3f7f6fb-285b-407b-b2c5-3698e8814f69

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About the National Academies' Gulf Research Program
The National Academies' Gulf Research Program is an independent, science-based program founded in 2013 as part of legal settlements with the companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. It seeks to enhance offshore energy system safety and protect human health and the environment by catalyzing advances in science, practice, and capacity to generate long-term benefits for the Gulf of Mexico region and the nation. The program has $500 million for use over 30 years to fund studies, projects, and other activities in the areas of research and development, education and training, and monitoring and synthesis. Visit nationalacademies.org/gulf to learn more.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. The Academies operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.

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