Professional Affiliation

Assistant Director for Environmental Information, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Project Summary

Peter Colohan is the Assistant Director for Environmental Information in the Environment and Energy Division of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), where he has served since 2010. Peter’s technical work at OSTP focuses on Federal budgeting and international cooperation for capital infrastructure in Earth observation satellites, airborne, terrestrial and marine platforms and their associated data management approaches and architectures. He serves as the White House chair of the United States Group on Earth Observations (USGEO), a subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council. He also facilitates the Climate Data and Tools Working Group of the Climate Resilience and Preparedness Council, and chairs a steering group on water science and technology initiatives under the Committee on Environment Natural Resources and Sustainability (CENRS). From 2002 to 2010, Peter served the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as an advisor and program manager in strategic planning and international coordination of Earth observations and environmental monitoring. During this time, he facilitated the establishment of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), an intergovernmental body involving over 90 governments, five United Nations agencies, and more than 50 international organizations. Peter holds degrees from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and American University’s School of International Service.