Dr. Daniel Evans
Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Research, NASA Science Mission Directorate
Daniel Evans, a seasoned space policy leader with two tenures at the White House, is the Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Research within NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. In his current NASA role, Dr. Evans provides leadership and coordination of NASA’s science program, ensuring the quality and integrity of all research in the space sciences, driving commercial innovation across NASA science, and increasing high-risk research within the broad space-science ecosystem. He also leads numerous interagency coalitions, including the cross-government approach to understanding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, and leads SMD’s national security and research security efforts, ensuring a resilient and innovative ecosystem for SMD-sponsored research.
Dr. Evans most recently served as Director of Civil Space Policy on the staff of the White House National Space Council, where he advised the President and Vice President of the United States on civil space policy, guided the development of national space strategies, and led cross-agency coordination to advance U.S. leadership and innovation in the civil space sector. He previously served at the White House Office of Management and Budget as the Program Examiner for NASA Low Earth Orbit and Spaceflight Operations, overseeing major spaceflight and research portfolios.
Before joining NASA in 2015, Dr. Evans served as a Program Director in NSF’s Division of Astronomical Sciences, with major roles including Program Director for the International Gemini Observatory and Head of the NSF Astronomy Grants Programs. Earlier in his NASA career, Dr. Evans was the Lead for Astrophysics Research Programs at NASA Headquarters.
Dr. Evans has been awarded the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, and the National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation, among numerous other NASA honors.
He held postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard University and MIT, and received his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Bristol.
Dr. Evans can be contacted by email at: Daniel.A.Evans@nasa.gov