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Leah Kauffman (Fed)

Senior Advisor, Communications and Engagement

I am an expert in plain language communications in a wide range of technical fields—from basic and applied science in all disciplines, to clinical research and health care—with experience in academic and government institutions. I have more than two decades of experience in publishing, writing, and change management. I have had the honor of helping to establish two new organizations within the government: the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence and CHIPS for America

At NIST, I perform a mix of science writing, organizational communications, and technical writing and editing. I have written Congressional testimony, press releases, web content, fact sheets, talking points, impact stories, briefing books and brochures, and I founded two NIST Special Publication series. The 1200 series is for describing methods at a level of detail that allows other scientists to replicate experiments or processes. The 1800 series, NIST Cybersecurity Practice Guides, is a new approach for NIST: With separate sections for decision makers, managers, and practitioners, they encourage the adoption of standards-based security solutions.

Soon after the CHIPS Act was passed in August 2022, I joined CHIPS for America to help stand up the office of external engagement and educate the public about the CHIPS research and development programs, which is establishing an enduring and robust R&D ecosystem that will grow and maintain U.S. technological leadership in semiconductors. I currently serve in the NIST Public Affairs Office as a senior advisor.

Awards

Material Measurement Lab Accolade, 2017 - For cross-divisional/cross-OU teamwork

Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award, 2015 - For leadership in establishing the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

Hermes Creative Platinum Award for UPMC Health Journal, 2008

MarCom Platinum Award for UPMC Health Journal, 2007

News

Publications

Cyberbiosecurity for biopharmaceutical products

Author(s)
Elizabeth Strychalski, Jennifer Mantla, Jayan Rammohan, Eugenia Romantseva, Reid D'Amico, Joel Welch, Leah R. Kauffman, James McCarthy, John E. Schiel, Jeffrey Baker, Kelley Rogers, Kelvin Lee

Space Commerce Workshop Report

Author(s)
Michelle S. Stephens, Nicholas Barbosa, Leah R. Kauffman, Rebecca Dorch, Marcus Holzinger
The Department of Commerce (DOC) Boulder Laboratories (consisting of the National Institute for Standards and Technology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Created October 9, 2019, Updated February 6, 2025