I am the Acting Director for the Science Directorate. I lead major Science Mission Directorate research projects aimed at improving our understanding of natural and human-induced changes in the Earth's atmosphere and climate.
In February 2004, the President introduced a new Vision for Space Exploration. NASA has begun a transformation process designed to focus all elements of the Agency on the successful fulfillment of this bold vision. The Science Directorate will contribute to this effort by leveraging our Earth-based remote sensing expertise to future space exploration missions.

A typical day in my organization consists of strategic/transition planning, technical discussions, administrative tasks, and occasionally some research activities. My strategic/transition planning discussions may include how we can think more like a business and challenge ourselves to be more competitive by teaming with others and taking greater risk. My technical discussions may involve using fiber optic Fabry-Perot bragg grating filters for improving vertical profiles measurements of water vapor. My administrative tasks may include briefing the Senior Leadership Council on our metrics. My occasional research activities may include working on a study to determine the trends in cloud occurrences within frequently traveled airplane flight paths using satellite data.

The most exciting aspect of my job is the people that I work with. I work with world-class researchers that live to better understand our Earth's atmosphere and climate. Just being in the presence of these researchers motivated me to return to school for an advanced degree in Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Arizona. My completion of a philosophy of doctorate degree has allowed me to better understand the science behind the research projects that we support.

The most enjoyable part of my job is being able to reward individuals within our organization for their superior job performance. The people within our organization have extremely high work ethics and are experts at what they do. It gives me great pleasure to be a part of their successful careers.

Math always came easy to me. In grade school and undergraduate school, I found pleasure in solving mathematical problems. I also enjoyed mechanical engineering during my undergraduate years. Upon undergraduate completion, I was hired at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama as a control systems engineer because of my high grades in math and engineering.

There were three children in my family - two girls and one boy. Given that my father had only enough money to send one of us to college, he elected to send my brother. At that time, he believed it more important for a man to be able to provide for the financial responsibilities of supporting a family some day. Hence, both my sister and I had to find our own funds to attend college, and we did. I always knew that I would attend college and major in mathematics no matter what it took! I never felt pressured NOT to go into math. It was something that I loved and felt that I could do better than most. All my teachers through grade school and all my professors through college were supportive of my choice to pursue a technical degree.

I do power yoga every morning then run about 5 miles before I go to work. I enjoy lifting weights in the evening after work when I can find the time. I also enjoy spending time with my wonderful spouse and a few close friends and neighbors.

Philosophy: "Don't ever give up!"

October 2004