Our Academic Council has been further strengthened by the appointment of leading planetary scientist and geochemist Professor Laurie Leshin.

Prof. Leshin is the Bren Professor of Geochemistry and Planetary Science at Caltech and brings deep leadership experience in academia and government to our Council.

She recently served as Director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL), where she guided major missions in Earth science, planetary exploration, and astrophysics.

She continues as co-investigator for two instruments on NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover.

Our Academic Council Members provide one-to-one mentoring to individual Schmidt Science Fellows and, as a Council, serve as an advisory group to our Program leadership.

Our Chair of Academic Council, Professor John Boothroyd, said the strength of the advisory body was its ability to draw upon the experiences and perspectives of distinguished leaders from across the global research ecosystem.

He added: “Prof. Leshin brings unique expertise developed at the forefront of space and planetary science. 

“Her remarkable research achievements are coupled with a deep understanding of mentorship and leadership gained in numerous high-profile settings.

 “I am delighted the Academic Council and our Fellows will have the immense benefit of her counsel and mentorship”.

Prior to leading NASA JPL, Prof. Leshin held a number of senior positions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, including Director of Science, Deputy Director of Science and Technology, and Deputy Associate Administrator of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, overseeing future human spaceflight.

She has served as President of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Dean of the School of Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Her honors include NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal and Distinguished Public Service Medal. 

The International Astronomical Union named asteroid 4922 Leshin to recognize her contribution to planetary science.

Main Photo: Claudine Gossett