Mark D. Svoboda

Mark Svoboda, Director Associate Professor National Drought Mitigation Center University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources Mark has been with the NDMC since it was formed in 1995. As Director, his duties include overseeing the center’s research and development, operational services, education and outreach activities. Mark’s responsibilities include providing expertise on climate and water management issues by working closely with states, federal agencies and international governments as well as the media and private sector. Mark co-founded the development of the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) in 1999 and served as one of the principal authors for 17 years and still authors the monthly North American Drought Monitor products. Mark is heavily involved with drought monitoring, assessment and prediction committees at state, regional and national levels. Mark is a member of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Bureau of the Committee on Science and Technology’s (CST) Science Policy Interface (SPI) team where he serves as a co-chair for the SPI’s Drought Working Group. In addition, he was chosen to serve as a member of the UNCCD’s Intergovernmental Working Group (IWG) and helps lead the drought early warning and monitoring working group. In addition, he serves as a drought preparedness working group co-leader for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG). Svoboda currently sits on the National Integrated Drought Information System's Executive Council. Svoboda has extensive experience working with the international drought, water and climate community via project collaboration, consultation and through various training and outreach opportunities with over 50 countries and international organizations to date. Mark earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Geography specializing in Climatology, a Masters Degree in Geography with a specialization in Remote Sensing, Climatology and GIS and his PhD in Natural Resources (Human Dimensions) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.