On Sunday, June 1, Laurie Leshin announced her decision to step down as the director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The prestigious federally funded research and development center, which is managed by Caltech for NASA, will now be led by David Gallagher, who has been serving as the Lab’s associate director for Strategic Integration.
Leshin, a distinguished geochemist, was appointed by Caltech to lead JPL in early 2022. Her extensive career has included significant roles in both academia and senior positions at NASA. Under her leadership, several crucial NASA missions managed by JPL have launched, including EMIT, SWOT, Psyche, PREFIRE, Europa Clipper, and SPHEREx. Additionally, the NASA-Indian Earth satellite NISAR is set for a launch in June, showcasing ongoing projects that highlight JPL’s innovative capabilities.
During her tenure at JPL, Leshin oversaw the advancement of groundbreaking projects such as NASA’s asteroid-hunting NEO Surveyor mission and the development of the trio of CADRE lunar rovers. Furthermore, the lab successfully delivered the Coronagraph Instrument, a technology demonstration for NASA’s upcoming Roman Space Telescope. “I am proud of the many things JPL has accomplished over the past three years,” Leshin stated. “We saved Voyager more than once and made history on Mars with Ingenuity. Our discoveries, including potential ancient Martian biomarkers with Perseverance, have pushed the boundaries of science and technology both on Earth and in space.”
Leshin, who previously served as Caltech's vice president, is stepping down for personal reasons but will continue her role as a Bren Professor of Geochemistry and Planetary Science at Caltech. Caltech President Thomas Rosenbaum expressed appreciation for her contributions, stating, “While we respect Laurie’s decision to step away from her leadership position at JPL, we will miss her drive, compassion, and dedication.” He also highlighted the importance of Gallagher's experience in securing ongoing support for America's space agenda.
David Gallagher, who has been with JPL for 36 years since 1989, will lead the lab into its next phase. With a wealth of experience in various leadership roles, including director and deputy director for Astronomy, Physics, and Space Technology, Gallagher has been instrumental in managing significant projects such as the Spitzer Space Telescope and leading the team that developed the Wide Field/Planetary Camera 2 for NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.
Gallagher emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation moving forward, stating, “Laurie has made a significant impact on energizing and focusing the lab, guiding it back on track after the Covid-19 pandemic. I wish her great success in this next chapter of her career, and I look forward to a very smooth transition at the lab.” He expressed optimism about the exciting opportunities ahead for JPL in advancing the nation’s space agenda.
Founded by Caltech faculty and students in 1936, JPL has been managed by Caltech on behalf of NASA since 1958. The laboratory continues to play a critical role in exploring space and advancing scientific knowledge, thanks to the dedication of its leadership and staff.
