Dr. Michael Falkowski is Lead Scientists at The Earth Fire Alliance (EFA), a Global community lead non-profit dedicated to collecting and delivering transformative data from wildfires across the globe. In this role, Dr. Falkowski guides the development of robust Research-to-Operations (R2O) pathways that transition cutting-edge wildfire science and technology into practical tools that enhance global wildfire detection, monitoring, response, and resilience.
Dr. Falkowski joined EFA from NASA Headquarters, where he served as Program Manager for the Wildland Fire Program and facilitated the development of wildland fire science and technology to drive actionable outcomes for fire management and resilience. In that role, he defined and executed strategic priorities for NASA’s wildland fire portfolio, led multidisciplinary teams, and was a key player in national and interagency efforts focused on advancing fire science, data, and technology innovation.
Before joining NASA, Dr. Falkowski built and grew an internationally recognized program in remote sensing and ecosystem science as a professor at Colorado State University, University of Minnesota, and Michigan Technological University. Having previously served as a wildland firefighter and state and tribal natural resource management specialist, the throughline between Dr. Falkowski’s academic, government, and non-profit work has been a focus on ensuring that science and technology serves those in need of solutions on the ground.