The Mission Team

Profile: Dr. William C. Feldman

Dr. William C. Feldman
Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico
Principal Investigator, Neutron Spectrometer

Dr. William C. Feldman of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico is the principal investigator of the neutron spectrometer on the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission. Feldman graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in physics in 1961 and received his doctorate in physics from California's Stanford University in 1968. His career has been devoted to the development, flight and analysis of findings from experiments aboard planetary and Earth-orbiting missions. An overarching goal of his research, he says, is to "develop a deep understanding of mechanisms that govern both the similarities and differences between the various terrestrial-like bodies in the solar system."

His advice to young scientists and engineers: "Be inquisitive into the interrelations among all natural phenomena that you encounter. Do not specialize your interests at too early an age but pursue your inquiries in depth; do not be satisfied with superficial answers."

In addition to his scientific pursuits, Feldman is a pianist and violinist. He is the father of two adult children, and resides with his wife of 36 years in Los Alamos.