Raul Brens Jr. is the acting senior director and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center. In this capacity, he is responsible for directing the center’s research, strategy, program development, and policy implementation in science and technology. Before joining the Atlantic Council, Brens had a career in academia and the public sector, focusing on science and technology policy, research and development, and social- and health-policy issues.

Brens has made significant contributions to public policy efforts in the United States and Australia, particularly in projects aimed at assisting vulnerable social groups and employing emerging technologies to combat climate change and tackle other societal challenges. He previously served as an international affairs advisor to the under secretary and chief scientist at the US Department of Agriculture, where he worked on international science and technology research, development, and research security. He also held a position as a science and technology policy fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science at the US Department of State, where he focused on nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear-energy matters. Brens has led large-scale projects focused on bridging data divides within the federal, state, and territory governments of Australia, earning recognition from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

At the outset of his career, Brens conducted interdisciplinary research in earth and atmospheric sciences as a research scientist. His work included research and development in Australia’s agricultural sector, specifically aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Alongside his extensive academic achievements, Brens is fluent in Spanish. He holds PhD and MSc degrees in geosciences and geochemistry. Additionally, he completed a bachelor’s degree with a dual major in earth sciences and history, with a focus on international relations.