Energy News  
Mars Atmosphere Researcher Mccleese Named JPL Chief Scientist

Dr. McCleese's (pictured) research has led to increased understanding of the atmospheres of Earth, Venus and Mars.
by Staff Writers
Pasadena CA (SPX) Jun 20, 2006
The director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has appointed Dr. Daniel J. McCleese as the laboratory's chief scientist. JPL's chief scientist is responsible for the scientific leadership and research at the laboratory and serves as the focal point for interactions with universities and the external research community.

The chief scientist also serves on JPL's Executive Council.

JPL Director Dr. Charles Elachi said, "Dan brings extensive experience in the strategic planning of NASA robotic missions, line and program management, as well as considerable experience in the development and execution of scientific instruments."

McCleese's research has led to increased understanding of the atmospheres of Earth, Venus and Mars. He is the principal investigator for the Mars Climate Sounder instrument on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which reached Mars two months ago.

He will continue in that role while in his new position. Since 1994, McCleese has served as JPL's chief scientist for Mars exploration. Dr. David W. Beaty, JPL's Mars program science manager, is assuming the Mars chief scientist role on an acting basis.

McCleese said, "I am honored to become the chief scientist at JPL. It's a position that covers the full range of JPL science, from the core of the Earth to the outer edges of the universe."

His appointment to be chief scientist at JPL is effective today. His four predecessors have been Drs. Rochus Vogt, Arden Albee, Mustafa T. Chahine, and Thomas R. Prince. After serving in that role for the past four years, Prince is resuming his research and teaching activities at the California Institute of Technology campus and at JPL, which is a division of Caltech.

McCleese was a Fulbright Scholar at Jesus College, Oxford University in England, where he earned his doctorate in atmospheric physics. His bachelor's degree in physics is from Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Since coming to JPL in 1976, he has worked on NASA missions to study Earth's atmosphere, Venus and Mars. He has been a visiting associate in planetary science at Caltech since 2000, and he received NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2005.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Space Industry Jobs, Careers and Appointments



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Mark Valerio To Head Special Programs At Lockheed Martin
Denver CO (SPX) Jun 15, 2006
Lockheed Martin announced Wednesday it has named Mark Valerio vice president and general manager, special programs for its Space Systems Company. Valerio succeeds Thomas J. Scanlan, who is retiring June 30.







  • Looming Energy Crisis Requires New Manhattan Project
  • Massachusetts Locals Want State to Be Leader in Alternative Energy
  • New UNEP Head Roots For Eco-Green Policies
  • Most Americans Feel US Energy Problems Won't Be Solved In Their Lifetime

  • French Govt Says Hazardous Nuclear Waste Must Be Stored Underground
  • Americans Not Warming To Nuclear Power
  • British PM Blair Defends Support For Nuclear Energy
  • India And US Move Toward Finalising Landmark Nuclear Energy Pact

  • ESA Picks SSTL To Develop Atmospheric CO2 Detector
  • Faster Atmospheric Warming In Subtropics Pushes Jet Streams Toward Poles
  • Atmospheric Warming Expanding The Tropics
  • In The Baltics Spring And Smoke Is In The Air

  • NASA To Help US Forest Service Test UAV For Wildfire Capabilities
  • Tropical Forests Reveal Improvements in Sustainable Management
  • Indonesia promises this year will be less hazy
  • Vicious Cycle Of Rainforest Destruction

  • A Modern Day Noah Saving The Fruits Of A Green World
  • Work On Biodiversity Doomsday Vault Begins In The Arctic
  • More Than Drought Affecting Wheat Yields
  • Indonesian Farmers Devastated By Earthquake

  • Activists Press Ford On Environmental Policies
  • Prototype For Revolutionary One-Metre Wide Vehicle Is Developed
  • Highly Realistic Driving Simulator Helps Develop Safer Cars
  • Research On The Road To Intelligent Cars

  • Globemaster Airdrops Falcon Small Launch Vehicle
  • Terma Selected To Manufacture Key Components Of F-35 JSF
  • CENTAF Releases Airpower Summary
  • Giant NASA Balloon Lifts Of From Esrange Space Center

  • Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear
  • NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter
  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement