Office of the Associate Administrator
The Office of the Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is responsible for directing and overseeing the nation’s science program. The Directorate engages the external and internal science community to define and prioritize science questions and seeks to expand the frontiers of four broad scientific pursuits: Earth Science, Planetary Science, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics.
The Science Mission Directorate leadership also directs the scientific exploration of Earth and space in support of the US Space Exploration Policy: to advance U.S. scientific, security, and economic interests through a robust space exploration program. Through a variety of robotic observatory and explorer craft, and through sponsored research, the Directorate provides virtual human access to the farthest reaches of space and time, as well as practical information about changes on our home planet.
- Dr. Edward J. Weiler, Associate Administrator
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Dr. Edward J. Weiler returns to NASA Headquarters from Goddard Space Flight Center to serve as interim associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate.
- Mr. Charles J. Gay, Deputy Associate Administrator
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Mr. Charles J. Gay has served NASA in senior management positions for over seven years. He is currently the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate. He was previously Deputy Director of the Office of System Safety and Mission Assurance at Goddard Space Flight Center. He also served as Deputy Director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters where he was responsible for programmatic development and implementation of NASA’s solar physics and geospace science program.
- Mr. Michael R. Luther, Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs
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Mr. Luther has over 39 years of industry and government experience in the development and management of space based scientific remote sensing systems. He spent 12 years in industry prior to his 27 years of government service with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- Mr. Roy Maizel, Deputy Associate Administrator for Management
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Roy A. Maizel is the Deputy Associate Administrator for Management, responsible for the formulation and execution of the Directorate’s $4+ billion budget, as well as the guidance and oversight of all strategic planning and policy development activities. He is also responsible for the provision of administrative support to the Directorate's approximately 200-person Headquarters organization.
- Dr. Paul Hertz, Chief Scientist
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Paul Hertz is Chief Scientist for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD).
- Dr. Max Bernstein, SMD Lead for Research
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Dr. Max Bernstein recently came to HQ from NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, where he served as the deputy chief for the Space Sciences Division. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Cornell University in 1993. His research interests include the spectroscopy and chemistry of carbon compounds in space environments, and the search for life in the solar system.
- Ms. Stephanie Stockman, E/PO Lead
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For the past 16 years, Stephanie has played a leadership role in NASA Earth and space science education at Goddard Space Flight Center. She has been the education lead for several NASA science missions, including Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), MESSENGER, EOS Aura and Landsat-7.
- Dr. Colleen N. Hartman, Senior Advisor
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Dr. Colleen N. Hartman is the Senior Advisor for the Science Mission Directorate. She was appointed to this position effective January 2008. Dr. Hartman served as Deputy Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate from August 2005 to January 2008. She is currently serving a 2-year Intergovermental Personnel Agreement (IPA) at the George Washington University's Space Policy Center, Washington. D.C. Her temporary assignment began in January 2008.
- Dr. Marc S. Allen, Assistant Associate Administrator
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Marc S. Allen is Assistant Associate Administrator for Strategy, Policy, and International within NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. In this capacity, major functions include oversight of the Directorate’s relationship with the National Research Council and planning and advising on collaboration with foreign space agencies.
- Dr. Jens Feeley, Executive Officer
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Dr. Feeley is a public policy expert with experience in a broad range of activities related to space and Earth science. Since May 2007, he has been working in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) as the acting Chief of Staff. In this capacity, he serves as a senior advisor to the Associate Administrator and Deputy Associate Administrator, and has responsibility for a wide range of sensitive assignments, special inquiries, and short-term projects.