Career
Since 2010 Olsen has been Founder and Managing Director of Science Works DC, a consulting firm that helps academic institutions, educational coalitions, companies, and research entities create successful, well-supported science programs and projects. ScienceWorks is dedicated to the use of science and technology research and education as the foundation for innovation, quality of life, and economic vitality. The firm draws on a matrix of experts across many disciplines to provide guidance, review and evaluation for governments, institutions of higher education, non-profits and private industry, both domestic and international.
Olsen became Senior Advisor in the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Office of Information and Resource Management on January 18, 2009. In this position, Olsen advised the Foundation's Chief Human Capital Officer as well as NSF senior management on opportunities for NSF-wide management improvement in areas such as strengthening merit review and interdisciplinary research processes, workforce planning, Program Officer training and development, and succession planning.
Prior to her appointment as Senior Advisor, Olsen was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of NSF in August 2005. As such, she was responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of program creation and administration; national and international collaborations; merit review processes; strategic and long-term planning and performance; budget development, implementation and reporting; personnel; and operations.
Olsen joined NSF from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the President where, since 2002, she had been the Associate Director and Deputy Director for Science. Her responsibilities included overseeing national and international science and education policy development and federal agency program coordination for the physical sciences, life sciences, environmental science, behavioral and social sciences and education.
Prior to OSTP, Olsen served as Chief Scientist for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (May 1999-April 2002) and the Acting Associate Administrator for Biological and Physical Research (July 2000-March 2002). As Chief Scientist, she served as the Administrator's senior scientific advisor, principal advisor on budget content of the scientific programs and principal interface with the national and international scientific community. As Acting Associate Administrator during the formulation of the new Enterprise for Biological and Physical Research, she oversaw budget development and implementation, recruitment and development of professional and support staff and strategic planning.
Olsen was recruited to NASA from the NSF, where since 1997 she had been Senior Staff Associate for the Science and Technology Centers in the Office of Integrative Activities. From February 1996 until November 1997, she was a Legislative Fellow and detailee from NSF to the Office of Senator Conrad Burns of Montana. Between 1984 and 1996, she served NSF in a variety of administrative and scientific leadership positions. At various times in her early professional career, Olsen also served as a Research Scientist at the State University of New York – Stony Brook's Long Island Research Institute and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the Medical School, as well as Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the George Washington University. Her research on neural and genetic mechanisms underlying development and expression of behavior was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
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