Elizabeth Lyons

Elizabeth Lyons is head of NSF's Tokyo Regional Office, based in the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. She began her service in Tokyo in January 2016 and has worked in various capacities at NSF since 1996.

From March 2011 to September 2014, she served on detail from NSF to the Department of State, serving as a senior adviser in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and in the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State.

Lyons received an AB in sociology from Harvard University, an MFS from Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and a PhD in botany and genetics from Duke University. Following completion of her PhD, Lyons held faculty positions at Northwestern University and Amherst College.

In this interview, she discusses the importance and benefits of science research and collaboration between international colleagues.