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Karen E. Jenni, Ph.D.

I am the Senior Science Advisor for the Energy and Minerals Mission Area, where I work with our Programs and scientists to expand collaborative science planning and execution within the USGS and, to work with our external partners to develop and deliver innovative science that meets the needs of decision-makers. My focus and my passion is on supporting our scientists as the we continue to find ways to increase both the value and the use of USGS science in decision making.

A key theme in my work is working collaboratively with experts, stakeholders, and decisions makers across multiple disciplines and multiple organizations to bring structure and sound science information to bear on challenging resource management problems. Today’s resource managers need management tools, expertise and sound science to make decisions that will not be second-guessed, inherently flawed, or result in catastrophic outcomes. Today’s scientists want to develop information that will be useful to, and used by, those managers as they address critical decisions affecting our nations natural resources and societal well-being.  My work lies in connecting these two groups: in helping other scientists identify, develop, and deliver state-of-the-art, decision-relevant information, and in helping decision-makers make effective and efficient use of that information. Working together and using the tools of decision analysis and adaptive management, scientists and managers can maximize the likelihood of achieving desired management outcomes while simultaneously adding to scientific knowledge that will be useful for future decisions. 

Professional Experience

  • Prior to joining the USGS, I was the founder of Insight Decisions, LCC, a Principal at Geomatrix Consultants, and a Senior Manager at Applied Decision Analysis.  I am Past-President of the Decision Analysis Society (DAS) of INFORMS (the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science), and have served on the Board of the Society of Decision Professionals.

Education and Certifications

  • B.S in Mathematical and Computational Sciences from Stanford University

  • M.S. and Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University

Science and Products

Results of Ecosystem Scale Selenium Modeling in Support of Site-Specific Guidelines Development for Lake Koocanusa, Montana, U.S.A., and British Columbia, Canada, 2020

This data release and accompanying spreadsheet illustrate the ecosystem scale selenium model for Lake Koocanusa described in USGS Open-File Report 2020-1098, "Understanding and Documenting the Scientific Basis of Selenium Ecological Protection in Support of Site-Specific Guidelines Development for Lake Koocanusa, Montana, U.S.A., and British Columbia, Canada." All report sections, equations, and t
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 17

Applying decision analysis to diverse domains: An introduction to the special issue

No abstract available.
Authors
Saurabh Bansal, Johannes Ulrich Siebert, Jeffrey M. Keisler, Karen Jenni

Use case development for earth monitoring, analysis, and prediction (EarthMAP)—A road map for future integrated predictive science at the U.S. Geological Survey

Executive SummaryThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 21st-century science strategy 2020–30 promotes a bureau-wide strategy to develop and deliver an integrated, predictive science capability that works at the scales and timelines needed to inform societally relevant resource management and protection and public safety and environmental health decisions (U.S. Geological Survey, 2021). This is the ove
Authors
Tamara S. Wilson, Mark T. Wiltermuth, Karen E. Jenni, Robert Horton, Randall J. Hunt, Dee M. Williams, Vivian P. Nolan, Nicholas G. Aumen, David S. Brown, Kyle W. Blasch, Peter S. Murdoch
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Western Geographic Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, California Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey landscape science strategy 2020–2030

Across our Nation, multiple Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments are working with stakeholders and landowners to restore, conserve, and manage lands and resources to benefit fish, wildlife, and people. One of the largest Federal efforts is led by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), with multiple DOI agencies working to conserve and manage public lands, resources, and cultural herit
Authors
Karen E. Jenni, Sarah K. Carter, Nicholas G. Aumen, Zachary H. Bowen, John B. Bradford, Michael A. Chotkowski, Leslie Hsu, Peter S. Murdoch, Scott W. Phillips, Kevin L. Pope, Rudy Schuster, Melanie J. Steinkamp, Jake Weltzin, George Z. Xian
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Science and Decisions Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Fort Collins Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center

Leveraging risk communication science across US federal agencies

Many US federal agencies apply principles from risk communication science across a wide variety of hazards. In so doing, they identify key research and practice gaps that, if addressed, could help better serve the nation’s communities and greatly enhance practice, research, and policy development.
Authors
William M. P. Klein, Alycia Boutte, Heather Brake, Madeline Beal, Katherine Lyon-Daniel, Emily Eisenhauer, Monica Grasso, Bryan Hubbell, Karen Jenni, Christopher Lauer, Arthur Lupia, Christine Prue, Paula Rausch, Carl D. Shapiro, Michael D. Smith, William Riley
By
Science and Decisions Center

Ecological forecasting—21st century science for 21st century management

Natural resource managers are coping with rapid changes in both environmental conditions and ecosystems. Enabled by recent advances in data collection and assimilation, short-term ecological forecasting may be a powerful tool to help resource managers anticipate impending near-term changes in ecosystem conditions or dynamics. Managers may use the information in forecasts to minimize the adverse ef

Authors
John B. Bradford, Jake Weltzin, Molly L. McCormick, Jill Baron, Zack Bowen, Sky Bristol, Daren Carlisle, Theresa Crimmins, Paul C. Cross, Joe DeVivo, Mike Dietze, Mary Freeman, Jason Goldberg, Mevin Hooten, Leslie Hsu, Karen Jenni, Jennifer L. Keisman, Jonathan Kennen, Kathy Lee, David P. Lesmes, Keith Loftin, Brian W. Miller, Peter S. Murdoch, Jana Newman, Karen L. Prentice, Imtiaz Rangwala, Jordan Read, Jennifer Sieracki, Helen Sofaer, Steve Thur, Gordon Toevs, Francisco Werner, C. LeAnn White, Timothy White, Mark T. Wiltermuth
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Assessment of water and proppant quantities associated with petroleum production from the Eagle Ford Group, Gulf Coast, Texas, 2019

Building on a geology-based assessment of undiscovered, technically recoverable petroleum resources in the Eagle Ford Group in south Texas, the U.S. Geological Survey has estimated the required water and proppant demands and formation water production volumes associated with possible future development of these petroleum resources. The results of the water and proppant assessment are presented her
Authors
Nicholas J. Gianoutsos, Seth S. Haines, Brian A. Varela, Katherine J. Whidden, Justin E. Birdwell, Lauri A. Burke, Ronald M. Drake, Thomas M. Finn, Katherine L. French, Karen E. Jenni, Scott A. Kinney, Phuong A. Le, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Kristen R. Marra, Tracey J. Mercier, Stanley T. Paxton, Janet K. Pitman, Christopher J. Schenk, Brian N. Shaffer, Chilisa M. Shorten, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Cheryl A. Woodall
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Tools and methods in participatory modeling: Selecting the right tool for the job

Various tools and methods are used in participatory modelling, at different stages of the process and for different purposes. The diversity of tools and methods can create challenges for stakeholders and modelers when selecting the ones most appropriate for their projects. We offer a systematic overview, assessment, and categorization of methods to assist modelers and stakeholders with their choic
Authors
Alexey Voinov, Karen Jenni, Steven Gray, Nagesh Kolagani, Pierre D. Glynn, Pierre Bommel, Christina Prell, Moira Zellner, Michael Paolisso, Rebecca Jordan, Eleanor J. Sterling, Laura Schmitt Olabasi, Philippe J. Giabbanelli, Zhanli Sun, Christophe Le Page, Sondoss Elsawah, Todd K. BenDor, Klaus Hubacek, Bethany K. Laursen, Antonie J. Jetter, Laura Basco Carrera, Alison Singer, Laura G. Young, Jessica Brunacini, Alex Smajgl
By
Science and Decisions Center

Multi-Resource Analysis—Methodology and synthesis

This document introduces the Multi-Resource Analysis (MRA), a set of products that are being designed to integrate information on multiple natural resources in a region, combine that information with models of resource interrelationships and scenarios of change, and provide meaningful insights on the implications of those changes to people and the resources they value. The MRA builds from and enha
Authors
Karen E. Jenni, Emily J. Pindilli, Richard Bernknopf, Timothy L. Nieman, Carl Shapiro
By
Science and Decisions Center

Conceptual modeling framework to support development of site-specific selenium criteria for Lake Koocanusa, Montana, U.S.A., and British Columbia, Canada

The U.S. Geological Survey, working with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the British Columbia Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy, has developed a conceptual modeling framework that can be used to provide structured and scientifically based input to the Lake Koocanusa Monitoring and Research Working Group as they consider potential site-specific selenium cri
Authors
Karen E. Jenni, David L. Naftz, Theresa S. Presser
By
Science and Decisions Center

Understanding and finding solutions to the problem of sedimentation in the National Wildlife Refuge System

The National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) is a collection of public lands maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for migratory birds and other wildlife. Wetlands on individual National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges) may be at risk of increased sedimentation because of land use and water management practices. Increased sedimentation can reduce wetland habitat quality by altering hyd
Authors
Max Post van der Burg, Karen Jenni, Timothy L. Nieman, Josh D. Eash, Gregory A. Knutsen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Science and Decisions Center, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Grand challenges for integrated USGS science — A workshop report

Executive SummaryThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a long history of advancing the traditional Earth science disciplines and identifying opportunities to integrate USGS science across disciplines to address complex societal problems. The USGS science strategy for 2007–2017 laid out key challenges in disciplinary and interdisciplinary arenas, culminating in a call for increased focus on a numbe
Authors
Karen E. Jenni, Martin B. Goldhaber, Julio L. Betancourt, Jill S. Baron, Sky Bristol, Mary Cantrill, Paul E. Exter, Michael J. Focazio, John W. Haines, Lauren E. Hay, Leslie Hsu, Victor F. Labson, Kevin D. Lafferty, K. A. Ludwig, Paul C. D. Milly, Toni L. Morelli, Suzette A. Morman, Nedal T. Nassar, Timothy R. Newman, Andrea C. Ostroff, Jordan S. Read, Sasha C. Reed, Carl D. Shapiro, Richard A. Smith, Ward E. Sanford, Terry L. Sohl, Edward G. Stets, Adam J. Terando, Donald E. Tillitt, Michael A. Tischler, Patricia L. Toccalino, David J. Wald, Mark P. Waldrop, Anne Wein, Jake F. Weltzin, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Science and Decisions Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Land Use Land Cover Modeling

Decision analysis of mitigation and remediation of sedimentation within large wetland systems: a case study using Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge

Sedimentation has been identified as an important stressor across a range of wetland systems. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has the responsibility of maintaining wetlands within its National Wildlife Refuge System for use by migratory waterbirds and other wildlife. Many of these wetlands could be negatively affected by accelerated rates of sedimentation, especially those located in agricultur
Authors
Max Post van der Burg, Karen E. Jenni, Timothy L. Nieman, Josh D. Eash, Gregory A. Knutsen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

McManus, E., K. Jenni, M. Clancy, K. Ghalambor, I. Logan, S. Redman, B. Labiosa, K. Currens, T. Quinn, W. Landis, K. Stiles, J. Burke, The 2014 Puget Sound Pressures Assessment. Puget Sound Partnership Publication #2014-04. Tacoma, WA. 2014.
Gregory F. Nemet, Erin Baker, and Karen E Jenni, “Modeling the future costs of carbon capture using experts’ elicited probabilities under policy scenarios,” Energy: 56, pp. 218-228. 2013.
Karen E. Jenni, Erin D. Baker, Gregory F. Nemet, “Expert elicitations of energy penalties for carbon capture technologies,” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control: 12 pp. 136–145. 2013
Karen E. Jenni and Abe van Luik. “Assessing expert judgments,” in Geological Repositories for Safe Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuels and Radioactive Materials: Advanced Technologies, Ahn, J., and Apted, M. (Eds), Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, UK. 2010.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products