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Litke, Sara L [LitkeSL@state.gov] 1/25/2018 11:02:37 AM Nishida, Jane [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange AdministrativeGroup (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=65e465e683c54elb825flbad32dcb099-Nishida, Jane]; Li, Jia [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=79ef28f9b3ac427c897481fdc7933a22-Li, Jia] Fawcett, Allen [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=c42c443c02834519bd99d9826afccf54-AFAWCETT]; Gunning, Paul [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=f65040017f05429aa05572f096a50463-PGUNNING]; Wehrum, Bill [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=33d96ae800cf43a3911d94a7130b6c41-Wehrum, Wil] RE: Thanks for Jia Li's service in the Embassy Science Fellow Program
1agree completely. The work of all of you at ERA and our other science-focused agencies demonstrates a kind of US leadership beyond what we diplomat generalists can convey. And as the USG front-line representatives, we do really appreciate knowing we're representing such a breadth and depth of excellence.
Regards, Sara
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From: Nishida, Jane [mailto:Nishida.Jane@epa.gov] Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 11:40 PM To: Li, Jia; Litke, Sara L Cc: Fawcett, Allen; Gunning, Paul; Wehrum, Bill Subject: RE: Thanks for Jia Li's service in the Embassy Science Fellow Program
Thank you, Sara, for the email report out and U.S. Embassy support for Jia Li's time as an Embassy Science Fellow in Nepal. I am glad to hear that Ji and EPA's assistance resulted in several important air quality activities/accomplishments for the Government of Nepal and the U.S. Embassy.
Many thanks to Ji for your tremendous technical assistance, scientific expertise and professional dedication in working with Nepal's Department of Environment to improve their understanding and capacity in addressing the serious air quality challenges facing the country and region. I am also glad to hear that Drona and my former colleagues at the World Bank were able to assist you during your mission.
Ji's experience and accomplishments in Nepal is a testament to her great expertise and professionalism, but also to the important role and contributions that EPA has made internationally. Thanks to the dedicated work of EPA staff, like Ji, across the Agency, it is no wonder that EPA is viewed as the gold standard for environmental protection around the world.
Jane
Jane Nishida Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Office of International and Tribal Affairs
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From: Li, Jia Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 11:52 AM To: Litke, Sara L <LitkeSL@state.gov>; Nishida, Jane <NishidaJane@epa.gov> Cc: Fawcett, Allen <Fawcett.Allen@epa.gov>; Gunning, Paul <Gunning.Paul@epa.gov> Subject: RE: Thanks for Jia Li's service in the Embassy Science Fellow Program
Dear Sara:
Thank you for your kind email! The Embassy Science Fellowship was an incredible experience for me. I was glad to have this opportunity to learn more about the environmental and pollution challenges in another part of the world, and contribute in a small way. It's also a good reminder that although we have clean air in the U.S., many people around the world (especially in the Asian region) still suffer from significant health consequences and bear the costs of pollution.
I am so thankful for the generous support from my office and managers (Allen and Paul especially) to make this happen. Also, I would not have been able to deliver the training without the strong support from many of my colleagues at EPA. It's another reminder of the expertise and resources of EPA, and how we have set examples and also help other countries improve their environmental management capability.
Jane - thanks also for kindly putting me in touch with your contacts from the days you were working on environmental management in Nepal at the World Bank. Drona and others had been very helpful. I was able to connect them with Sara and the U.S. Mission in Nepal, and hope they would have productive collaboration in the future.
All the best, Jia
From: Litke, Sara L [mailto:LitkeSL@state.gov1 Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 5:43 AM To: Nishida, Jane <NishidaJane@epa.gov> Cc: Li, Jia <Li.Jia@epa.gov>; Fawcett, Allen <Fawcett.Allen@epa.gov>; Gunning, Paul <Gunning.Paul@epa.gov> Subject: Thanks for Jia Li's service in the Embassy Science Fellow Program
Dear Assistant Administrator Nishida,
Thank you for supporting Jia Li to serve as an embassy science fellow in Kathmandu. In her two quick months here, Jia advanced the Embassy and EPA's missions in a range of ways, providing much-needed technical assistance for Nepali environmental officials and also strengthening our relationship with government and nongovernment partners.
Jia's work focused on supporting the Nepal Department of Environment's (DOE) Environmental Pollution Control and Monitoring Section. At their request, she provided the staff training and technical assistance on a very ambitious list of topics, including the U.S. air quality index, EPA's air quality management policy, air quality program development, ambient air quality monitoring, air quality modeling, data validation, benefit-cost analysis, and integrated modeling of urban heat, air quality, and health vulnerabilities. Further, DOE staff were particularly persistent in wanting Jia's help with grant proposal writing, a topic definitely outside the intended scope of her program with them. Exemplifying her professionalism and sincere interest in DOE staff development, Jia tapped experts at the Embassy and the World Bank to understand the grant and funding
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processes of the Nepal government and shared that knowledge with DOE, while also guiding them on the strategic preparation needed to even begin a grant process.
On a matter of quite practical importance to DOE, EPA and the Embassy, Jia provided DOE invaluable support in preparing for Nepal to be a pilot country in the AirNow-International community. No one at the Embassy had the expertise to provide this support, and without it, AirNow Director Phil Dickerson and Program Manager John White would have accomplished far less during their few days working with DOE on their visit in December.
Jia also contributed to the success of the regional "Air Pollution, Climate and Elealth Workshop and SciencePolicy Dialogue" co-hosted by DOE and the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). With her expertise, scientific credentials, and diplomatic nature, Jia was eagerly welcomed among the event's participants. Her knowledge from her research and experience with EPA informed the recommendations and strategies for improving South Asia's air quality proposed at the conclusion of the event.
Last, but certainly not least from my perspective, Jia quickly became a valued member of the Embassy staff and community. She briefed Embassy staff from various agencies on EPA's latest work and global developments on air quality and climate issues--valuable information as we shape our programs in Nepal and the wider region. In the broader community, she gave presentations to groups of students, ranging from university level to the first graders at the school attended by most Embassy families.
Jia went above and beyond what we expect from a science fellow, and the Embassy and Nepal will continue to benefit from her work long into the future. She is a credit to the Embassy Science Fellow Program, EPA, and the U.S. government. Again, thank you for your support for her service as a fellow.
Sincerely, Sara Litke
Director
Regional Environment, Science, Technology and Health Officefor South Asia
~ Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
U.S. Embassy Kathmandu
Office: +9771 423 4197
Mobile: +\
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