管家婆心水论坛

For the next two years, Geology Professor Nicholas Lang is taking leave of his 管家婆心水论坛 University classroom to work for NASA.

He won鈥檛 be doing the kind of research he has honed at 管家婆心水论坛, but he will be exposed to the inner workings of NASA research operations and have a role in choosing what research projects get funded.

The temporary assignment as a 鈥渄iscipline scientist鈥� with the federal agency鈥檚 Planetary Science Division (PSD) is a genuine manifestation of 鈥渓iving the dream,鈥� a dream that Lang has cultivated since he was 5 years old and received his first space-themed LEGO庐 set. That interest was further piqued as he listened to his dad talk about witnessing the first moon landing on TV in 1969.

鈥淚 always knew I wanted to do something related to space exploration,鈥� Lang said. 鈥淚 have been able to do that as a faculty member for over a decade and now I have this incredible opportunity to do that with NASA. So, the chance to work for an organization that is all about the peaceful exploration of space with the goal of answering some of the most fundamental of scientific questions is an incredible professional opportunity.鈥�

Lang鈥檚 current assignment, which he conducts remotely from his Erie home, is to help assess proposals for funding and assemble a review panel of content experts to evaluate them. Based on the panel鈥檚 feedback, Lang makes recommendations on which proposals should be funded and continues to monitor performance reports for selected projects.

Working on a team within the Planetary Science Division, under which numerous Mars and Venus missions fall, is a perk. Lang鈥檚 own research has focused on geologic mapping and morphometric characterization of volcanic and tectonic landforms on Earth, Venus, and Mars.

鈥淚鈥檒l be working within programs that fund planetary science projects rather than doing my own research, but to be this close to what鈥檚 happening in the discipline and to understand where it鈥檚 heading is something I am excited to bring back to my students,鈥� he said.

Lang鈥檚 projects over the next two years will be assigned as they arise. 鈥淭here are a lot of ongoing and upcoming missions that PSD is involved with, so it is kind of an 鈥榓ll-hands-on-deck鈥� situation where one needs to step up and serve as needed,鈥� he said.

Lang鈥檚 position with NASA is made available through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program, which provides for the temporary assignment of personnel between the federal government and state and local governments, colleges and universities, Indian tribal governments, federally funded research and development centers, and other eligible organizations.

During Lang鈥檚 leave of absence, Assistant Professor Scott McKenzie is managing his function as chair of the Geology Department. Associate Professor Dr. Christopher Dolanc will assist with Lang鈥檚 Environmental Science students and will be the point of contact for the Environmental Science program.聽