NASA isn’t simply concerned with female representation in space. Dr. Laurie Leshin of Worcester Polytechnic Institute has been named the agency’s first female director at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Former director Michael Watkins (who retired in August 2021) and temporary director Lt. Gen Larry James will be replaced by her on May 16th. She will also be the vice president of Caltech, which oversees JPL.
Leshin has a wealth of expertise in both science and pioneering new areas. She has worked for NASA in top roles, notably as a director at the Goddard Space Flight Center. She established part of the basis for both commercial spaceflight and Artemis as deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. She was the scientific dean at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before becoming the first female president of WPI in 2014.
The next JPL director has a background in science as well. She has advocated for and contributed to Mars sample return missions, as well as assisted in the analysis of data from the Curiosity rover. Leshin’s position is also a type of comeback for her, given she received her academic degrees from Caltech.
Leshin’s “strategic approach” to science and technology, appreciation of NASA’s leadership position in science, navigation of complex institutions, and capacity to “inspire the next generation” of scientists and engineers, according to Caltech, made her a top contender to lead the JPL. To put it another way, she could be an excellent match for a company that requires a lot of long-term planning.
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