Thomas Zurbuchen

Zurbuchen served as associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate from 2016 to 2022 — the longest such tenure in NASA’s history. He was previously a professor of space science and aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan. Zurbuchen is the founder of the highly-ranked Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship. He is a fellow and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and the Swiss Academy of Technology and Science. In addition, he is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Zurbuchen is the winner of multiple prizes and awards, including the Presidential Rank Award, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.