Dr. Alan P Smale

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Dr. Alan P Smale

  • Head, High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC) Office
  • 301.286.2602 | 202.358.3096
  • NASA/GSFC
  • Mail Code: 660.1
  • Greenbelt, MD 20771
  • Employer: NASA
  • Brief Bio

    2003-2008: Program Executive for Mission Operations and Data Analysis (MO&DA) for the Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA HQ, managing an extensive and scientifically diverse portfolio of astrophysics missions including Chandra, Spitzer, Gravity Probe-B, GALEX, INTEGRAL, RXTE, Suzaku, Swift, WMAP, and XMM-Newton. Also served as Program Scientist for RXTE, Discipline Scientist for High Energy Astrophysics, and Deputy Public Affairs Liaison for the Astrophysics Division.

    1988-2003: Senior Research Scientist, Universities Space Research Association, at the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, NASA/GSFC. Managed the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer Guest Observer Facility (1994-2003) and Swift Science Center (1998-2003), with additional management, data analysis, software design and computer programming experience with the BBXRT, ROSAT, ASCA, and HEASARC projects. Co-investigator on the Swift mission.

    1985-1988: Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, U.K., conducting research in X-ray and optical astronomy.

    Positions/Employment

    HEASARC Director 8/2009 - Present
    NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD  
    PCOS Deputy Chief Scientist 3/2012 - Present
    NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD  

    Education

    1986 - D.Phil., Astrophysics, University of Oxford, U.K. Thesis title: "Variability in Stellar X-ray Sources"

    1982 - B.A., Physics, University of Oxford, U.K.

    Brief Bio

    2003-2008: Program Executive for Mission Operations and Data Analysis (MO&DA) for the Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA HQ, managing an extensive and scientifically diverse portfolio of astrophysics missions including Chandra, Spitzer, Gravity Probe-B, GALEX, INTEGRAL, RXTE, Suzaku, Swift, WMAP, and XMM-Newton. Also served as Program Scientist for RXTE, Discipline Scientist for High Energy Astrophysics, and Deputy Public Affairs Liaison for the Astrophysics Division.

    1988-2003: Senior Research Scientist, Universities Space Research Association, at the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, NASA/GSFC. Managed the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer Guest Observer Facility (1994-2003) and Swift Science Center (1998-2003), with additional management, data analysis, software design and computer programming experience with the BBXRT, ROSAT, ASCA, and HEASARC projects. Co-investigator on the Swift mission.

    1985-1988: Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, U.K., conducting research in X-ray and optical astronomy.

                                                                                                                                                                                            
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