Leidos taps Miguel Román to serve as top climate scientist
(Reston, Va.) March 17, 2022 – Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE® 500 science and technology leader, today announced that Dr. Miguel Román has joined the company as Senior Director and Chief Scientist of Climate and Environment. In this new role, Román will be responsible for planning, leading, directing and growing Leidos’ climate-related science, technology and infrastructure programs.
“We are thrilled Miguel is joining the Leidos team,” said Eric Freeman, Leidos Senior Vice President and Integrated Missions Operation Manager. “His extensive knowledge and experience in climate-related issues make him a strong asset as we continue to strengthen our climate and environmental science business. At Leidos, we are committed to practicing and promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship, and we’re excited to utilize Miguel’s expertise to help serve our customers and their missions.”
As Leidos’ new Chief Climate Scientist, Román will be responsible for managing a broad range of capabilities across the earth sciences, as well as the company’s infrastructure sector. He will lead research, development and growth in areas including climate-sensitive water and agriculture, renewable energy, disaster resilience and sustainable urban infrastructure.
Román comes to Leidos from NASA. Since 2014, he has led a worldwide group of investigators and technical staff in generating long-term climate data records from polar-orbiting satellites. The suite of products are generated from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) – two of the largest and most comprehensive satellite systems operated by NASA and NOAA to monitor our planet’s vital signs.
Román has served in multiple leadership, organizational management and technical capacities across the federal government, academic and nonprofit sectors. A leading researcher in the field of Satellite Remote Sensing, Román has championed translational research, sustainability science and data-intensive approaches to address climate-related risks. These efforts have improved disaster resilience and reduced the disproportionate risks experienced by socially-vulnerable and underserved communities.
Román, a native of San Juan Puerto Rico, was recognized by President Barack Obama in 2016 with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). He is also a 2014 Service to America Medal "Sammies" finalist, one of the highest honors for federal civil servants. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, a master’s degree in systems engineering from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in geography from Boston University.
About Leidos
Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $13.7 billion for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. For more information, visit www.leidos.com.
