Dr. Bierbaum is a professor of natural resources and environment policy, School for Environment and Sustainability, and professor, environmental health sciences, School of Public Health, U-M. Her research is focused on the interface of science and policy--principally on issues related to climate change adaptation and mitigation at the national and international levels. Her experience extends from climate science into foreign relations and international development. Dr. Bierbaum served for two decades in both the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. Government, and ran the first Environment Division of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. She was a lead author of the U.S, National Climate Assessment.