Former AUA Adjunct Professor Named as Science Adviser to U.S. Secretary of State

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On September 8, 2015, the United States Department of State named former American University of Armenia (AUA) visiting professor and Chief International Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) Dr. Vaughan Turekian as the fifth Science and Technology Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State.

According to the State Department, Dr. Turekian will advise U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine A. Novelli on international environment, science, technology, and health matters that concern United States foreign policy.

Dr. Turekian taught graduate courses in environmental sciences and atmospheric chemistry during his time at AUA in 2000. He also served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.

While at AAAS, Turekian worked with the foreign policy community to increase the role of science in diplomatic issues while also building, maintaining, and bridging relationships in the policy community. He also developed and implemented strategies to increase the organization’s global profile and presence. Part of this was achieved through his work as Editor-in-Chief of Science & Diplomacy, the AAAS’ online quarterly publication, where Dr. Turekian wrote public and published policy articles in order to bolster international science policy.

Dr. Turekian previously served in the Department of State in two different capacities. He was a Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Global Affairs from 2003 to 2006. In that role, Dr. Turekian advised the Under Secretary on foreign policy issues related to climate change, environment, energy, science, technology and health. For his work, Dr. Turekian earned a Department of State Superior Honor Award in 2005 and 2006.

In 2002 and 2003, Dr. Turekian worked in the State Department’s Office of Global Change as a AAAS Science Diplomacy Fellow. In that role, he tackled issues related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and promoted the United States’ objectives on climate changes while helping to shape and formulate the nation’s climate change policy.

Dr. Turekian holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in environmental sciences (University of Virginia).

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.