SMART people 
Sue Nichols
Marketing and Communications Director
Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute
University of Michigan
What inspires me about SMART:
I like an organization that directs its energy to empowerment. Creative solutions to mobility is a core issue to allow people and societies to survive, succeed and be happy. SMART’s approach holds great promise to channel good data for great outcomes. That’s inspiring.
Biography:
Sue Nichols is the marketing and communications director of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute at the U-M, leading the communications effort on the broad spectrum of energy research at the university, as well as supporting initiatives that integrate science into economic recovery.
She came to the institute from Michigan State University, where she was the chief science writer and led initiatives to increase the public’s understanding of science and research in topics ranging from environmental issues and science’s role in international development. She has organized and given symposiums nationally on communicators’ roles in promoting international science.
Prior to working in higher education, Nichols was a newspaper reporter and editor.
She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and is on the U-M Board for Student Publications. She holds a BA in journalism from MSU.
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