NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory appoints its first female director

IT House reported on Jan. 31 that NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has appointed Dr. Laurie Leshin of Worcester Polytechnic As its first female director.

She will take office on May 16, replacing former supervisor Michael Watkins (retired in August 2021) and interim supervisor Larry James. She will also serve as Vice Chancellor of the California Institute of Technology, which administers JPL.

According to the authorities, Leshin has extensive experience in science and pioneering new areas. She has held senior positions at NASA, including key supervisor positions at the Goddard Space Flight Center. As deputy director of NASA's Mission Board of Exploration Systems, she laid some groundwork for commercial spaceflight and Artemis. She is dean of science at Rensselaer Polytechnic institute and has served as WPI's first female principal since 2014.

IT House learned that Leshin has been a supporter and contributor to the Mars sample return mission and helped study data from the Curiosity rover. Since she earned her graduate degree at Caltech, the appointment is also a return to her alma mater.

Caltech said Leshin is a leading candidate to lead the JPL, thanks to her "strategic approach" to science and technology, recognition of NASA's leadership in science, navigating complex institutions and her ability to "inspire the next generation" of scientists and engineers.