CHRIS KONEK - Joined the Global Methane Hub as Lead Scientist in July 2024, bringing his experience forging deep and productive international scientific partnerships. For the last 12 years, has helped build teams of interdisciplinary scientists and funded basic research addressing critical challenges. Chris spent the first part of his career in the laboratory, largely focused on environmental sensing. He then transitioned to supporting grant-making at U.S. government and international organizations. In the United States, he helped manage a program focused on reducing methane emissions from oil and gas facilities, and contributed to projects on energy efficiency and agriculture.  He later served as the scientific manager for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Oil and Gas Methane Science Studies at the United Nations Environment Program, working with scientists across four continents. Most recently, working out of the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile, he funded conferences and research projects in countries throughout Latin America. Chris is located near Washington, D.C. He received his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University, and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Northwestern University.