Division Directors
The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) organizes its work into four broad scientific pursuits: Earth Science, Planetary Science, Heliophysics and Astrophysics. Each of these pursuits is managed by a Division within the Directorate, each having it's own science sub-goals.
- Earth Science: Study planet Earth from space to advance scientific understanding and meet societal needs
- Planetary Science: Advance scientific knowledge of the origin and history of the solar system, the potential for life elsewhere, and the hazards and resources present as humans explore space
- Heliophysics: Understand the Sun and its effects on Earth and the solar system
- Astrophysics: Discover the origin, structure, evolution, and destiny of the universe, and search for Earth-like planets
- Management & Policy: Formulate, advocate, and implement the SMD budget, provide policy support, and conduct business operations for the Directorate.
Fundamental research on profound science questions using space-based observatories and related assets is the hallmark of all four areas of NASA's SMD. Astrophysics pursues answers to questions about the universe that are as old as humanity. Heliophysics and Planetary Science both include elements important to the success of NASA"s human exploration endeavors, and the former has practical utility on Earth. Earth Science is inherently beneficial to society in practical ways and requires that means be created to transfer its results for use in decision support and policy making. Research in all four science areas is essential to the fulfillment of national priorities embodied in Presidential initiatives and Congressional legislation, and scientific priorities identified by the Nations' scientific community. The SMD Division Directors play a significant role in support of NASA Scientists both at Headquarters and at NASA centers, universities, institutes and partner agencies the world over.
Dr. Barbara Giles, Heliophysics Division Director
Oct. 3, 2011
Dr. Giles earned her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1993 and joined Marshall Space Flight Center where she was part of a team that built suborbital and spaceflight heliophysics instrumentation. Her research interests focused on the Earth’s magnetosphere with emphasis on the ionosphere’s contribution to magnetospheric dynamics. In 1998, Dr. Giles transferred to the Goddard Space Flight Center to pursue new flight mission opportunities. She stepped into the role of Deputy Project Scientist, and was promoted later to Project Scientist for the Polar and Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) missions. In 2004, Dr. Giles came to NASA Headquarters as the Program Scientist for RBSP and led the science procurement for that mission. She is now the Program Scientist for the Solar Terrestrial Probes Program (STP) and managed the procurement for the next Explorer Program missions. As the Heliophysics strategic planning lead at headquarters, she has charted the Division’s course for the future by planning new missions to study the Sun, its effects on the Earth's space environment, and its influences out to the far reaches of the heliosphere.
Dr. Michael Freilich, Earth Science Division Director
Sept. 12, 2007
Michael H. Freilich received BS degrees in Physics (Honors) and Chemistry from Haverford College in 1975 and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Univ. of CA., San Diego) in 1982. Dr. Freilich is now the Director of the Earth Science Division.
Dr. Jim Green, Planetary Science Division Director
Sept. 12, 2007
Dr. Green received his Ph.D. in Space Physics from the University of Iowa in 1979 and began working in the Magnetospheric Physics Branch at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1980. In August 2006, Dr. Green became the Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters.
Dr. Paul Hertz, Acting Director Astrophysics Division
Jan. 6, 2012
Paul Hertz is the Acting Director of the Astrophysics Division, as well as the Chief Scientist in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA. As the Chief Scientist he serves as senior science advisor to the Associate Administrator of Science and as liaison between the Science Directorate and the Earth and space science communities in implementing the NASA Strategic Plan. His responsibilities include the solicitation and selection process, research and analysis practices, education and public outreach programs, and general science policy for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
Craig Tupper, Resources Management Division Director
Feb. 3, 2011
Craig Tupper is the Director of the Resources Management Division (RMD), responsible for formulation, justification, and execution of NASA’s approximately $5 billion annual Science budget.
Dan Woods, Strategic Integration and Management Division Director
April 5, 2010
Dan Woods is the Division Director for the Strategic Integration and Management Division (SI&MD), responsible for the Directorate’s strategic planning and messaging, science advisory committee, congressional, and executive activities. He is also responsible for the administrative support provided to Directorate employees.