Renee Crain

Ms. Crain is a Program Director in the National Science Foundation's Arctic Research Support and Logistics (RSL) program. Created by Congress in 1999 to improve access, efficiency and safety of U.S. researchers in the Arctic, the RSL program supports field expeditions, research stations, aircraft, vessels, and other services to enable NSF-grantees to conduct cutting-edge research in the Arctic. Ms. Crain leads the Arctic research support contract, integrative projects, risk management, environmental stewardship, data visualization, and oversees the program budget. Since joining NSF in 2002 and the RSL program in 2005, Ms. Crain has expanded partnerships with other U.S. agencies and international organizations to benefit research, education, and outreach. Ms. Crain organized education efforts during International Polar Year 2007-2009 and served on the Climate Change Education Working Group in 2011, for which she received an NSF Director’s award. From July-December 2016, Ms. Crain served on detail to the Office of Science and Technology Policy as Policy Adviser and Executive Secretary of the Arctic Executive Steering Committee and she helped organize the first Arctic Science Ministerial. She served a six-month detail at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration as the Acting Director of the Arctic Research Program. While at NOAA, Ms. Crain led efforts in strategic planning and developing collaborations across NOAA on Arctic research. Ms. Crain served as Acting Section Head for Polar Environment Safety & Health September 2019-May 2020, with a focus on improving communication and processes and served on the leadership team preventing the spread of COVID-19 into the polar regions. She holds M.S. and B.A. degrees in biology and started in arctic research studying physiological and behavioral adaptations in arctic birds.