David John Jhirad

Dr. David J. Jhirad "is currently the Vice President, Research and Evaluation at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City. In this position, Dr. Jhirad is responsible for integrating the use of research and evaluation concepts and practices into the Foundation’s work. He also coordinates the Foundation’s efforts to identify new areas for programmatic initiatives where the Foundation can have a positive impact on the lives of poor and vulnerable people around the world.

"He was the Vice President for Science and Research at the World Resources Institute (WRI) from 2003 to 2007, where he took the lead on the planning, quality control and evaluation of WRI’s research work. He was also a Visiting Professor of Science, Technology and International Affairs at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service over the period 2001-2004, where he taught courses on the multifaceted nature of the global energy challenge, including policy, technology, climate stabilization, poverty reduction and security. He introduced a new course, “Mathematics for Policy Analysis.” Dr. Jhirad has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications on energy policy, technology, security, climate and development issues.

"He served in the Clinton-Gore Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Energy Policy, Trade, and Investment, and as Senior International Advisor to the Secretary of Energy. In this position, he led U.S. bilateral relationships with all major energy producing and consuming nations. During this period he represented the United States as Vice Chairman of the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency in Paris, and as the lead delegate to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Working Group. As Senior Energy and Science Advisor to the US Agency for International Development, he collaborated with countries in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America on energy policies to ensure equity and environmental sustainability, as well as on energy technology and infrastructure investment.

"Dr. David Jhirad was a senior scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory and a director of the Union of Concerned Scientists, and has taught at Boston University and the University of Massachusetts. He is a member of the Cosmos Club and the Harvard Club of Washington, DC. Dr. Jhirad received bachelors and masters degrees in physics from Cambridge University, and a doctorate in applied physics from Harvard University, where he received the Bowdoin Prize for excellence in research."

"From 1995 to 2001, he served the Clinton Administration as deputy assistant secretary of energy for international energy policy, trade and investment, and was a senior advisor to the secretary of energy. During this time, he also served as the vice-chairman of the governing board of the International Energy Agency in Paris, and the lead U.S. representative to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Working Group. Prior to these assignments, he directed the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from 1988 to 1995."

"Dr. David J. Jhirad is Executive Vice-President of The Gemstar Group in Washington".


 * Vice President, Earth Council – USA
 * Director, Humane Society of the United States