Francis Gassert is Data for Impact Lead at World Resources Institute. Francis guides WRI’s programs to use data and technology for greater impact, advising on product design, project strategy, data science, and software engineering. He works to identify and develop new opportunities to use data to promote environmental sustainability and economic well-being, and manages Resource Watch, WRI’s flagship platform that provides trusted and timely data for a sustainable future.
Formerly, Francis worked on water and climate data projects at WRI. He led the development of PREPdata and co-coordinated the Partnership for Resilience and Preparedness. He also led technical development of the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, WRI’s tool for measuring and mapping water risk.
Prior to joining WRI, Francis worked as a research assistant evaluating socio-economic impacts of large dams in the Three Rivers region of Yunnan, China, and supporting the development of a decision making tool for hydropower development. He holds a B.A. in environmental studies from Colby College with a background in economics and environmental policy, and has interned in commodities analysis at Barclays Capital and in video game development at Foundation 9’s Imaginengine studio.
(from personal webpage: https://www.wri.org/profile/francis-gassert)