From Science to Action: Researchers and State Leaders Build Lasting Partnerships at Science Day 2026
Scientist Profile: Riley Duren
February 4, 2019 | Federal Research in California Â
Principal Engineer and Chief Systems Engineer
Earth Science Directorate
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
BS, Electrical Engineering, Auburn University
Mr. Riley Duren is a NASA veteran of nearly 30 years who works at the intersection of engineering and science to deliver complex systems, including seven space missions spanning earth science and astrophysics. Since 2008, Mr. Duren has applied the discipline of systems engineering to supporting societal decisionmaking
about climate change and energy with a particular research focus on carbon monitoring.
Mr. Duren can speak and advise on the following technical fields:
- Surface and satellite observations, high resolution CO2 and methane emissions data sets, and tracer transport modeling to monitor carbon fluxes in megacities, such as Los Angeles.
- Airborne surveys of methane point sources across California.
Alongside academic powerhouses such as the University of California campuses, Stanford, and Caltech, Californians can take pride in our unrivaled collection of federal laboratories and research centers. CCST helps facilitate links across the capabilities and talents of these labs and centers through its Federal Laboratory Affiliates program — convening their expertise to deliver impartial science advice in response to the Governor, the Legislature, and other state entities. Learn more about the federal labs and science centers benefiting California here.
Find the California Council on Science and Technology on Facebook at facebook.com/ccstorg, on Twitter @CCSTorg, and on LinkedIn. Learn more about CCST at www.ccst.us.
Updated: 2019.02.04
