USRA Appoints Nicholas White As the Senior Vice President for Science
Columbia, Md. (PRWEB) February 03, 2014 -- The Universities Space Research Association announced today that Dr. Nicholas E. White has been selected to serve as Senior Vice President for Science. White brings a strong record of management experience and scientific accomplishments from his distinguished tenure at NASA and his work within the broad scientific community. White was selected following a national search.
As the Senior Vice President for Science, White will lead the space science operating sector within USRA and provide oversight of scientific activity across USRA institutes and programs. This sector spans work in astronomy and astrophysics, lunar and planetary science, biomedical and life sciences, Earth science, space technology, and advanced scientific computing. White is expected to assume his new position on February 25, 2014.
“We are pleased and honored to welcome Dr. White to USRA,” said Dr. Frederick A. Tarantino, USRA President. “Dr. White’s extensive background in research and management within our Nation’s civilian space program will provide the Association with strong vision and effective leadership, as we move forward in this new century.”
Dr. Don Kniffen, Chief Operating Officer for USRA, said, “USRA is most fortunate to be able to welcome White to its management team as the Senior Vice President for Science. In this role he will be able to continue his leadership in the U.S. and international science communities he has served so well for over two decades.”
White joins USRA from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. where he had a distinguished career for more than 20 years. For the past six years, White led the Sciences and Exploration Directorate, where he was a leader in space and Earth science and a trusted steward of the center’s projects and research programs. Throughout the course of his career, White pioneered space-based research both as a scientist and a Senior Executive. White previously held the positions of director of Goddard’s Astrophysics Science Division and Chief of the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics. White was the founding director of the highly successful High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center. Prior to joining NASA, White worked for the European Space Agency. His research is primarily in the area of X-ray astronomy, studying black holes and neutron stars. His pedigree includes more than 200 publications in refereed journals.
Amongst the many recognitions of his leadership are the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award and the Goddard Space Flight Center Exceptional Achievement Award. White is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He received a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Leicester and a doctorate in Space Science from University College London.
Erin Carver, Universities Space Research Association, http://www.usra.edu, +1 (410) 227-7078, [email protected]
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