Melanie Brickman Borchard PhD, MSc
Director, Life Sciences
As the Director of Life Sciences at The New York Academy of Sciences, Melanie Brickman Borchard spearheads the strategic development and scientific oversight of the Academy’s extensive portfolio of scientific symposia, conferences, invitation-only meetings, workshops, and public lectures. These dynamic programs focus on cutting-edge subjects within the realms of life sciences, biomedical research, and public health. In addition to her pivotal role in program development, Melanie actively cultivates and maximizes strategic alliances with an array of external organizations and individuals.
Dr. Brickman Borchard has more than 20 years of experience in academic and non-profit settings — both as a public health researcher focused on the juncture of health, demography, policy, and geography, as well as a non-profit leader who brings scientific communities together.
Prior to joining the Academy, Dr. Brickman Borchard was Associate Director of the Institute on Science for Global Policy (ISGP). Additionally, Dr. Brickman Borchard spent nearly a decade as a Research Associate for the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) of Columbia University, where she worked on a range of projects related to health, disease, poverty, urbanization, and population issues. She also taught as an adjunct Professor at Baruch College’s School of Public Affairs for five years.
She received her PhD in medical geography from University College London (UCL) and her MSc in medical demography from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).