Daniel Ziskin, PhD

portraitDaniel founded Escape Goat Data out of his motivation to use his technical skills and problem solving to help where needed. His passion is in being helpful and reducing waste.

Daniel grew up in southern New Jersey. He received a PhD in physics from The Johns Hopkins University in 1993. His dissertation was about how clouds act as a feedback mechanism on the Earth’s climate. He worked as a satellite data specialist for 20 years at NASA, NCAR, and NOAA.

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

BEECO (www.beecorewards.com), Monument, CO 2012-2015
Co-founder and Chief of Technology

  • Design and implement technological solutions to reduce the use of disposable products, such as cups and plastic bags
  • The Beeco model is to reward consumers for using reusable alternatives

NOAA NATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL DATA CENTER, Boulder, CO 2008-2011
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) Professional Research Assistant

  • Contributed to the production of the DMSP Nighttime Lights data product
  • Participated in the Global Gas Flares Reduction Initiative (World Bank)

THE MEMBERSHIP, Denver, CO 2005-2008
Associate

  • Designed and implemented websites for non-profit organizations

NATIONAL CENTER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH, Boulder, CO 1998-2005
Co-Investigator and Data Manager of Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT)

  • Managed a data production facility for a satellite-based instrument monitoring carbon monoxide
  • Supervised a team of three software engineers
  • Constructed budgets ($1M over 3 years) and proposals
  • Published documentation for the atmospheric science community and public
  • Designed web-based data analysis tools to measure instrument performance and quality control
  • Responsible for resource allocation and purchasing of advanced computer technology
  • Created computer programs to visualize scientific results, process data, and monitor production

NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER/DISTRIBUTED ACTIVE ARCHIVE CENTER (DAAC) 1993-1998
Research Scientist

  • Supported climate data by writing documentation, programming, and designing data analysis tools
  • Developed expertise in the area of metadata and its role within relational databases
  • Employers were Hughes/STX and George Mason University

EDUCATION

THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, Baltimore, MD 1987-1993

  • Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Physics
  • Dissertation Title: “The Effect of Clouds as a Feedback Mechanism on the Earth’s Climate in the Tropical Pacific”

OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE, Los Angeles, CA 1984-1986

  • Advanced Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in Physics

SKILLS & QUALITIES

  • Highly developed interpersonal skills, ability to work calmly under pressure
  • Capable of quickly understanding complex issues and making them easy for others to understand
  • Team player, strong leadership skills, collaborative, well-liked, great sense of humor, hard-working
  • Creative thinker and persistent problem-solver
  • Languages: American Sign Language, Hebrew, French, and basic Spanish.
  • Fundraising experience, including grants, mail campaigns, direct asks, and events
  • Expert in communication through creative, non-confrontational methods
  • Computer Proficiency: UNIX, Windows, Mac, webmaster
  • Expert in Android Apps, RUBY, PERL, IDL, FORTRAN, C, Microsoft Office (programming Excel Macros using VBA), ENVI, DRUPAL, GIS, JAVA, mySQL, PHP, javascript, WordPress, python, jQuery, CSS/HTML and more.

TEACHING & PUBLIC SPEAKING

  • Instructor of a course on quantitative methods for sustainability managers for Univ of Colorado 2010
  • Lectured on climate change to both academic and general audiences
  • Entertaining and effective public speaker

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

eGo CarShare (www.carshare.org), Boulder, CO 2000-2005 and 2010 – present
Vice-President

  • Created a computer model to predict potential usage based on car placement parameters
  • Compiled the Board Member Handbook
  • Wrote and implemented billing software
  • Develop policy, marketing strategies, and outreach
  • Maintained the fleet of cars in coordination with a local garage

Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary (www.kindnessranch.org), Hartville, WY 2011 – present
Secretary

  • Oversight of a sanctuary that hosts animals who were experimented on in research
  • Duties include management of the staff, budget, policies and strategic vision

Animal Watch dba Animal Help Now (www.ahnow.org), Superior, CO 2010 – 2014
Vice-President
• Designed and built a web-based inventory of animals in the state of Colorado
• Supported the flagship Animal Help Now application
• Successfully wrote, submitted, and obtained 501c3 status for the organization
• Participate in strategic and financial decisions

Boulder Climate Action Network 2009 – present
Transportation Specialist
• Primary author on the transportation recommendations to the City Council May 2009
• Representative to Boulder’s Transportation Technical Advisory Group on reaching their Kyoto Protocol carbon emissions reduction goals

Southern Plains Land Trust (www.southernplains.org), Centennial, CO 2003 – 2012
President
• Co-wrote the application for land trust accreditation with the state of Colorado
• Organized fundraising efforts and policy discussions
• Involved in website maintenance, donor relations, and newsletter logistics

Skillshare Network (www.skillsharenetwork.org), Boulder, CO 2008 – 2010
Executive Director

  • Coordinated the cooperation of seven volunteer committees
  • Served as back-up Primary Coordinator for web-based exchange system
  • Oversaw operations

Jews Of The Earth (www.jote.org), Boulder, CO 1999 – present
Founder and President

  • Founded non-profit organization with threefold mission: to green Jewish institutions, perform outreach to Jewish environmentalists, and conduct eco-Jewish programming
  • Responsible for formation, events, fundraising, volunteer coordination, website development, budget, community relations, and publicity including tree plantings and stream cleanups
  • Coordinated recycling/composting campaign at local festival
  • Hosted alternative (non-material) holiday gift fairs, raising about $10,000 for participating charities

Coloradans for Fair Rates and Clean Energy (CO-FORCE), Denver, CO 2006 – 2010
Formerly known as Ratepayers United of Colorado (RUC)
Founding Board Member and President
• Intervened in several dockets before the Public Utilities Commission regarding renewable energy
• Obtained 501c(3) status for the organization

Environmental Advisory Board (EAB), Boulder, CO 2004 – 2005

  • Contributed to environmental policy decisions for the city of Boulder. Issues we heard included mosquitoes, wildlife management, Valmont Butte, trash tax, water quality, noise ordinances, trails, energy, etc
  • Made recommendations to city council regarding the Environmental Affairs budget

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS AND APPOINTMENTS

  • 2011 Candidate for Boulder City Council obtaining 5,000 votes
  • 2010 Volunteer of the Year for Animal Watch
  • Associate Editor of Earthzine.org, a quarterly journal of the IEEE Committee on Earth Observations
  • NASA Langley Research Center DAAC User Working Group member 1998-2005
  • 2006 UCAR Annual Outstanding Achievement Award for Scientific and Technical Advancement
  • 2005 NASA Group Achievement Award (Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment)

List of Publications