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Weiler Assumes Official Role As NASA Science Chief

Administrator Michael Griffin announced Wednesday that Ed Weiler will remain as NASA's associate administrator for the agency's Science Mission Directorate. Weiler was named interim chief of the directorate March 26.

"I'm very pleased to have Ed officially accept a more long-term position as science chief. His leadership style and 26 years of Headquarters experience will be vital to the success of upcoming science activities and missions," said Griffin.

As chief executive of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Weiler will direct a wide variety of research and scientific exploration programs for Earth studies, space weather, the solar system, and the universe. In addition, he will manage a broad spectrum of grant-based research programs and spacecraft projects.

Weiler was appointed director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., in August 2004. Previously, he had served as the associate administrator for the agency's Space Science Enterprise from 1998 to 2004.

Prior to his selection as associate administrator, Weiler served as the director of the Astronomical Search for Origins Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. He was a member of the Princeton University Space Astrophysics Research Staff from 1976 until 1978. Weiler joined Headquarters in 1978 as a staff scientist and was promoted to the chief of the Ultraviolet/Visible and Gravitational Astrophysics Division in 1979. He also served as the chief scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope from 1979 until 1998.

A native of Chicago, Weiler earned his doctorate in Astrophysics from Northwestern University in 1976.

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