NASA Deputy Chief Scientist speaks at AUS

American University of Sharjah (AUS) hosted a special lecture by Dr. Gale J. Allen, Deputy Chief Scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on November 21. The lecture was held in collaboration with the Consulate General of the United States in Dubai.

During her lecture, Dr. Allen briefed the audience about Curiosity, a robotic rover designed to explore the Gale Crater on Mars as part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission. She also spoke about the International Space Station (ISS) that serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which crewmembers conduct experiments in many fields. She informed the audience about the building of The James Webb Space Telescope, a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, that aims to observe distant objects in the universe, provide images of the first galaxies formed and see unexplored planets around distant stars.

Dr. Allen began her NASA career at the Kennedy Space Center as Chief of the Materials and Chemistry Branch where she led the effort in developing ozone depleting alternatives for precision cleaning of flight and ground hardware. At NASA HQ, she managed the Bioastronautics (human research and life support) Research Program, served as deputy for the Human Systems Research and Technology Program, and Director, Strategic Integration and Management for Exploration Systems before moving to her current position.

Dr. Allen is the recipient of a NASA Space Act Award for her research in ozone depleting alternatives, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, and has received two Exceptional Performance Awards. In addition to these honors, she is a member of Women in Aerospace, a member of the Board Directors of the American Astronautical Society, an elected member of the Brenau University Board of Trustees, and is the President for the Zonta Club of Fairfax County, an international organization focusing on empowering women through service and advocacy.