Janet Cushing
About Janet Cushing
Janet Cushing serves as the Deputy Chief of the National Climate Adaptation Science Center, where she provides strategic advice and supervises several Climate Adaptation Science Center Directors. With extensive experience in environmental planning and climate adaptation, she has held various roles at organizations such as the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Current Role at U.S. Geological Survey
Janet Cushing serves as the Deputy Chief of the National Climate Adaptation Science Center at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). She has held this position since 2015, contributing to the strategic direction of the center. In her role, she provides strategic advice to the center and its eight Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers. Cushing supervises four of the eight center directors and acts as the Headquarters representative for the development of the network's strategic plan.
Previous Experience at U.S. Geological Survey
Cushing has extensive experience at the U.S. Geological Survey, where she worked as a Program Analyst in Fisheries from 2005 to 2009. She also served as the Acting Director of the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center from 2018 to 2019. Her roles involved analyzing programs and leading initiatives related to climate adaptation and fisheries management.
Experience at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Janet Cushing worked at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 2009 to 2015, where she held the positions of Group Manager and Senior Environmental Planner. Prior to that, she was a Biologist and Environmental Planner in the Jacksonville District from 1999 to 2005. Her work focused on environmental planning and resource management within the Corps.
Educational Background
Cushing earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Geology/Earth Science from Colgate University, where she studied from 1987 to 1991. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Science (M.S.) in Geology & Geophysics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa from 1991 to 1993. Additionally, she has studied at The University of Chicago.
Focus Areas and Expertise
Cushing's work emphasizes the potential effects of climate change on ecosystem services. She advises on policy and program development, budget formulation, and addresses emerging national and regional issues related to climate adaptation. Her expertise encompasses strategic planning and the integration of scientific research into practical applications for climate resilience.