Tom Oda Appointed USRA Fellow--The Organization's Highest Internal Recognition of Scientific and Technical Excellence

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a rare and distinguished honor, Dr. Tomohiro Oda has been named a USRA Fellow—Universities Space Research Association's highest internal accolade for extraordinary scientific and technical contributions. He joins an eminent group of just two other scientists who currently hold this title.

The USRA Fellows program recognizes USRA's most distinguished scientific and technical staff for their sustained accomplishments. Appointments to this distinction are determined by the Fellows' Committee, which includes the Vice President of Science and Technology, two members of the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Chief Human Resources Officer. 

Dr. Elsayed Talaat, President and CEO of USRA, noted, "Being named a USRA Fellow is a significant honor, and it reflects not only scientific excellence but also a career dedicated to advancing knowledge and impact. We are incredibly proud of Dr. Tomohiro Oda for his well-deserved recognition. His work continues to inspire scientists and advance scientific endeavors."

Dr. Oda, who serves as Interim Director of the Earth from Space Institute, is an internationally recognized expert in anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With more than 15 years of experience, his research integrates satellite remote sensing, atmospheric modeling, and emissions inventory approaches to advance global understanding of the carbon cycle and support science-based climate mitigation.

He is the architect of a widely used, high-resolution global carbon emissions dataset that supports atmospheric CO₂ simulations and informs policy and scientific communities worldwide. In collaboration with leading space agencies, Dr. Oda has developed and delivered value-added environmental data products, including GHG emission maps and nighttime environmental datasets derived from satellite observations.

 Dr. Oda's work has had a significant influence at the global policy level. He was selected to serve on the U.S. National Academies' Consensus Study Committee on GHG Information and currently serves as a Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2027 Methodology Report on Inventories for Short-lived Climate Forcers. He leads USRA's observer delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP conferences, where he plays a key role in facilitating dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and global stakeholders.

In 2023, Dr. Oda was honored with the President's Distinguished Service Award, USRA's highest level of individual recognition, in acknowledgment of his sustained excellence and impact. 

He joined USRA in 2014. He has authored more than 40 publications in international journals with over 7000 citations. He earned his Ph.D. in Engineering from Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. He joins previous USRA Fellows Dr. William (Bill) Meyer and Dr. Davide Venturelli as the third USRA Fellow. 

About USRA

Universities Space Research Association operates scientific institutes and conducts major research and workforce development programs, engaging the government, academic, and industrial communities.

Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology, and engineering.

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SOURCE Universities Space Research Association