University Communications and Marketing

November 2, 2015 

Contacts:

David McGinnis, Grants and Sponsored Programs, 657-2299
Carmen Price, University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

Dr. David McGinnis, director of grants and sponsored programs at MSUB, will serve a two-year term on the National Science Foundation’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education.

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES —  David McGinnis, Ph.D., director of grants and sponsored programs at Montana State University Billings, was invited last week to serve a two-year term on the prestigious National Science Foundation’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education.

McGinnis is one of 16 members from across the country that comprise the committee, which meets twice a year at the NSF headquarters in Arlington, Va. The committee is tasked with providing guidance and recommendations on national environmental science and education programs.

“To be among the committee who advises the National Science Foundation is a big responsibility and it is a great honor to serve science in this way,” McGinnis said.

As a member of the committee, McGinnis will provide recommendations and oversight concerning support for the NSF’s environmental and education portfolio and act as a liaison with the scientific community to inform the NSF of the impact of its research support and education initiatives.

McGinnis joined MSUB ten years ago. He took a two-year sabbatical in 2011 when he was appointed as a NSF program director for its Geography and Spatial Sciences Program. During this time, he also served as a primary social sciences representative on the NSF Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability initiatives and as a member on the multi-agency US Global Change Research Program strategic planning committee.

He received in 2012 the NSF Director’s Award for Collaboration.

“His appointment in 2011 and now this invitation indicates that he is influential in the national direction of research in Geography and Spatial Sciences,” Robert Hoar, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, said. “We are very proud to have Dr. McGinnis on our team.”

For McGinnis, whose research interests and specializations are in climatology and the social impact of global change, the appointment is not only professionally rewarding, but also one that can benefit MSU Billings programs, he said.

“My involvement with this committee will provide insight into the directions NSF is going so I can better guide our faculty about potential environmental and STEM research we could be doing at MSUB as they develop research grant proposals,” McGinnis said. “The position also allows me to learn more about potential opportunities for training our students, the next generation of scientists, for future careers in environmental sciences.”

The NSF is an independent federal agency whose director, deputy director and board members are appointed by the president of the United States. With an annual budge of $6.1 billion, NSF is a major funding source of all federally-supported, basic science and engineering research conducted by America’s colleges and universities.