First Time In History, NASA JPL Has A Female Boss

Laurie Leshin / DOK NASA

JAKARTA - For the first time in its 85-year history, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has a female lead, Laurie Leshin.

Leshin is a geochemist and space scientist who will serve as director of JPL and vice president of the California Institute of Technology, both located in Pasadena, California, United States (US).

He will take office on May 16, succeeding former director Michael Watkins (who retired in August 2021) and interim director Lieutenant General Larry James.

"I am very honored to be the first woman to hold the title of director of JPL. I know from personal experience that a diverse team makes a greater impact, and I will work every day to ensure that JPL is a place where everyone belongs and thrives. We will dare to do great things, together," said Leshin in his official statement.

Leshin's appointment also marks Caltech's first female vice president since the institute was founded 130 years ago. Caltech faculty and students founded JPL in 1936 and have managed the laboratory on NASA's behalf since 1958.

Launching CNN International, Sunday, January 30, Leshin's career has been long and amazing, he served as a member of the Curiosity rover science team that analyzed data to find evidence of water on the surface of Mars.

More than two decades have also been spent by Leshin supporting and planning the mission to Return the Mars Samples collected by the Perseverance rover to Earth in the 2030s. All these Mars exploration missions are managed by JPL.

As a scientist, Leshin focuses on understanding where and when water is present throughout the Solar System. Leshin also has an impressive record of service in academia, holding senior positions at NASA and two appointments at the White House, USA.

"NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has a storied history of going against what was once thought impossible in the space exploration field. In this new era of breakthrough discoveries and constant innovation, it's clear that Dr. Laurie Leshin has the track record of scholarship and leadership needed to serve as director. JPL and strengthens the center's status as a global leader in the 21st century," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.

"Under Dr. Leshin, the technology discovered at JPL will continue to enable humans to explore places in our universe we haven't yet reached and spark the imaginations of future mathematicians, engineers and pioneers in classrooms across the US." .

Leshin previously served as director of science and exploration at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in 2005, before being promoted to deputy director of science and technology there in 2008. In that role, Leshin oversees more than 50 Earth and space projects.

Leshin became associate deputy administrator of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington in 2010. There, he oversaw efforts to lay the groundwork for the future human space program.

This capability is now part of the commercial crew, which delivers astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), and the Artemis program, which seeks to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon by 2025.

"Some of the most influential experiences of my career took place on the Caltech campus and at JPL, the lessons and goals achieved that have shaped me as a leader and aerospace scientist. The opportunity to work together again with many of my colleagues at Caltech, in the Lab and on campus and at NASA is a dream come true," said Leshin.