PRESS RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
CRN Leadership Team Expands
The Center for Responsible
Nanotechnology (CRN) is adding two new members to its leadership team. Jamais
Cascio will become CRN’s Director of Impacts Analysis, and Jessica Margolin will
take on the role of Director of Research Communities, effective October 1, 2007.
CRN co-founder Chris Phoenix will begin his scheduled sabbatical in October.
Co-founder Mike Treder will continue to serve as Executive Director of CRN.
Since its inception in December 2002, CRN has significantly contributed to
better public understanding about molecular manufacturing, a specialty area of
nanotechnology associated with extremely high risks and returns. CRN promotes
awareness and education, and the development of effective recommendations to
maximize benefits and reduce dangers.
“I’ve been looking forward to this opportunity for some time,” said Phoenix.
“With growing recognition about the importance of molecular manufacturing, with
Jamais and Jessica, two extremely talented people, coming on board, and with
Mike’s ongoing leadership, I feel comfortable taking a sabbatical.”
Jamais Cascio is a writer, blogger and futurist covering the intersection of
emerging technologies and cultural transformation. He speaks about future
scenarios around the world and his essays about technology and society have
appeared in a variety of print and online publications. He is a fellow at the
Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, as well as a research affiliate
at the Institute for the Future. He also works on a variety of independent
projects including serving as a lead author of the recent Metaverse Roadmap
Overview report.
“I’ve admired CRN’s work for a long time,” said Cascio, “and in recent months
I’ve become more actively involved. Now I’m extremely pleased to be joining the
team in a leadership capacity.”
In 2003, Cascio co-founded WorldChanging.com, a Web site dedicated to finding
and calling attention to models, tools, and ideas for building a ‘bright green’
future. Cascio authored nearly 2,000 articles during his time at WorldChanging,
looking at topics such as energy and the environment, global development,
open-source technologies, and catalysts for social change. In 2006, he started
OpenTheFuture.com as his online home.
“My understanding of technology development and societal change lead me to
conclude that molecular manufacturing will be hugely disruptive,” added Cascio.
“I’ve said before that if we manage to get through this century with our
civilization intact, CRN's work will bear much of the credit. I hope I can make
a worthwhile contribution to that effort.”
Jessica Margolin is an entrepreneur who consults in the area of purposeful
conversations and messaging systems. Her professional background includes
industry roles in financial analysis, business development, organizational
design, and marketing strategy and communications; her education includes an MS
in Materials Science in the area of nanotechnology, and an MBA.
“It's important to ensure all voices are heard during periods of profoundly
rapid scientific innovation,” said Margolin. “Many nanoscale technologies are
poised to be disruptive, and CRN focuses on what is potentially the most
disruptive of all. I look forward to accelerating the development of the
community surrounding CRN's work.”
Currently a research affiliate at Institute for the Future, Margolin synthesizes
her professional experience in the financial and internet industries as well as
her philanthropic work to address problems concerning the design of
organizations, institutions, and communities.
“I’m ecstatic about the opportunity to work closely with both Jamais and Jessica
as we move forward in the important cause of ensuring safe development and
responsible use of advanced nanotechnology,” said Treder.
The Center for
Responsible Nanotechnology is a research and advocacy organization concerned
with the major societal and environmental implications of advanced
nanotechnology. CRN was an affiliate of World Care, an international, non-profit,
501(c)(3) organization. The opinions of CRN do not necessarily represent those
of World Care.
