Near-term Leadership changes in NASA's Planetary Science Division (PSD)

Dear Colleagues,

I'm writing to tell you about some near-term leadership changes in the Planetary Science Division (PSD).

I have been chosen by Agency leadership to begin a six-month detail as the Acting Deputy Associate Administrator (AA) for NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), while ESDMD broadly advertises the Deputy AA position. I have already begun this transition and the detail will officially begin by the end of May. Although this opportunity was unexpected, I am excited to take on this role and be an amplifying voice for science in ESDMD during this imperative time for NASA's Artemis and Moon to Mars efforts. As we know, exploration enables science and science enables exploration.

I am happy to announce that Dr. Gina DiBraccio will be joining the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) as the Acting PSD Director, while I am away. Gina currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Heliophysics Science Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. I'm sure Gina will be a familiar face to many of you! She also currently serves as the Deputy Principal Investigator and Project Scientist of the MAVEN mission. Gina has been active on numerous planetary missions, a member of the GSFC magnetometry team, and involved in research at every planet in our solar system. Please help me welcome Gina to the role-I know she will be a fantastic advocate for the planetary science community. My Deputy, Eric Ianson, will continue in his role and will ensure a smooth onboarding to PSD for Gina.

It has been my absolute joy and privilege to serve the planetary science community as PSD Director for the past six years. In this time I've seen (to name only a selection of highlights): Insight land on Mars and complete its mission, Perseverance begin the task of Mars Sample Return, Ingenuity's paradigm-changing 72 flights, DART's successful impact, the launch of Lucy and Psyche, OSIRIS-REx's incredible return of 121 g of material from Bennu, the start of a real renaissance in Venus exploration, and Europa Clipper almost ready for its launch this fall. What a whirlwind it has been!

NASA's planetary missions truly represent NASA at its best. The awesome feats of the planetary science community continue to inspire the nation and the entire world. This community is my home and my family, and no matter what the future brings, it will always hold an incredibly dear place in my heart-this change will be a little easier for me knowing I'm not going far.

Wishing you all the best.

Dr. Lori S. Glaze
Director, Planetary Science Division
NASA

Lori.S.Glaze@nasa.gov
pronouns: she/her/hers