Kartik Sheth
Adjunct Professor
Dr. Kartik Sheth is a globally recognized astrophysicist and strategic leader with a proven track record in driving innovation within space science and technology. He has held pivotal roles at NASA Headquarters, serving most recently as NASA’s Associate Chief Scientist where he helped develop policy and strategy for science and technology across the Agency. In prior roles at NASA, Dr. Sheth oversaw the launch and operations of flagship missions like the James Webb and Spitzer Space Telescopes, and development of a microeconomics framework for valuation of societal benefits from Earth observations.
His tenure at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) saw him shaping national R&D priorities and managing an $8.5 billion budget for the DOE Office of Science. Earlier as the Assistant Director for Research Infrastructures and Science Equity, in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Dr. Sheth spearheaded initiatives aimed at advancing critical and emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, clean energy generation in areas such as fusion and space solar power, radiation biology research, and the maintenance and growth of research and human capital infrastructure.
With over 180 publications and 27,000+ citations, Dr. Sheth is a thought leader in science and technology, with a visionary approach to the future of space commercialization. His expertise spans fundamental galaxy evolution to applied Earth sciences, including remote sensing and ecological forecasting, aligned with UN sustainable development goals.