School of Public Policy Research Professor Emerita Rosina Bierbaum has been selected to receive the 2026 Gold Key Award from Sigma Xi, the scientific research honor society. The award is the organization's highest honor and recognizes individuals whose contributions have advanced scientific research.
Throughout her career, Bierbaum has helped shape environmental policy in the United States and abroad, drawing on her expertise in climate science to inform decisions about some of the world's most pressing environmental issues. Her experience includes two decades of service in the federal government, where she led the Environment Division of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and served on President Barack Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. She also worked as an adaptation fellow at the World Bank and has contributed to major climate reports and assessments for national and international organizations.
“Receiving the Gold Key Award is an honor I could never have imagined as a graduate student 40 years ago,” Bierbaum said in Sigma Xi's announcement. “From discovering knowledge, to solving pressing problems, and eventually mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders, this recognition means more to me than words can express, and I accept it with profound gratitude.”
Bierbaum will be honored Nov. 5 during the 2026 International Forum on Research Excellence. She will participate in a special interview session, “Curious Conversations,” with former Sigma Xi president Robert T. Pennock, reflecting on her career and the experiences that have influenced her work.
