Laurie Leshin — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

University Professor of Space Futures at Arizona State University, advising on space strategy
Former Head of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the first woman to hold the position
Former President of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the first woman to serve in this role
Chair of the board of FIRST, the world's largest robotics competition organization
Serves on the Academic Council of Schmidt Science Fellows
Bren Professor of Geochemistry and Planetary Science at California Institute

Biography

Laurie Leshin is an American scientist and academic administrator with a career spanning geochemistry, planetary science, and leadership in higher education and space exploration. She is currently the University Professor of Space Futures at Arizona State University, where she advises senior leadership on space strategy and works with the School of Earth and Space Exploration.