Who We Are | Sustainable GW | The George Washington University

The Sustainable GW team brings together expertise from across functions of the University to support efforts in action, academics, and research that promote healthy and thriving resource systems for all.

Sustainable GW is led by Dr. Tara Scully, Director of the Sustainability Minor, and Dr. Robert Orttung, Research Director for Sustainability Initiatives. To build on the years of work on campus sustainability and take initiatives to the next level, the team is currently in the process of developing the University's sustainability strategy for the next several years. After completing a listening tour with faculty, staff, and students from across the University, the team will develop plans detailing our approach to supporting sustainability initiatives in and out of the classroom. Reach out to [email protected] to attend a listening tour session.

Dr. Tara Scully

Director of the Sustainability Minor Program; Assistant Professor of Biology

Tara A. Scully is the Director of the Sustainability Minor Program and an Assistant Professor at the George Washington University. At GW, she regularly teaches introductory biology and sustainability courses and laboratories to non-science majors. Currently, she teaches five different courses: Introduction to Sustainability; The Biology of Nutrition and Health; The Ecology and Evolution of Organisms; Food, Nutrition, and Service; and Understanding Organisms through Service Learning.

Dr. Scully received her MS, specializing in forensic science research with a concentration on fiber evidence and a PhD with a research focus on developmental biology from The George Washington University. She has worked for a nonprofit agency training prosecutors nationwide on how to present forensic evidence—specifically DNA—in criminal cases and is the author of the book Discovering Biology in the Lab: An Introductory Laboratory Manual as well as Why We Eat Food. Tara can be reached at [email protected] or 202-994-5758.

Dr. Robert Orttung

Associate Research Professor of International Affairs; Director of Research for Sustainability Initiatives

Dr. Robert Orttung is the Director of Research for Sustainability Initiatives, as well as an Associate Research Professor of International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs. Bob is the lead PI on two National Science Foundation grants focused on promoting urban sustainability in the Arctic. He is the editor of the forthcoming Sustaining Russia’s Arctic Cities. Among his previous publications are several books and articles examining the interconnection between energy and international relations, including serving as editor with Andreas Wenger and Jeronim Perovic of Energy and the Transformation of International Relations: Toward a New Producer–Consumer Framework and Russian Energy Power and Foreign Relations: Implications for conflict and cooperation. He is the president of the Westover Village Civic Association and a member of the board of Field to Table, which runs two farmers markets in Arlington, Virginia. Bob received a B.A. in Russian Studies from Stanford University and both a M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles. Bob can be reached at [email protected] or 202-994-5730.

Kimberly Williams

Stakeholder Engagement Associate, Office of Sustainability

Kimberly Williams is the Stakeholder Engagement Associate with the Office of Sustainability. Prior to her time at the George Washington University, she served as the Clean Water Network Coordinator with Environment America, convening local watershed organizations across the country around campaigns for clean water protections. Kimberly is currently pursuing a Masters Degree from the George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management. Kimberly can be reached at [email protected] or 202-288-3731.

Kehan DeSousa

Sustainable Project Facilitator, Office of Sustainability

Kehan DeSousa is the Sustainable Project Facilitator with the Office of Sustainability. Prior to her time at the George Washington University, she served as a Green Fellow with the Urban Sustainability Administration at the District Department of Energy and the Environment. Kehan has a Masters from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Affairs, where she focused on climate change and environmental sustainability. Kehan can be reached at [email protected] or 202-531-0205.