Julian Earls Selected to Lead NASA Glenn Research Center
NASA Deputy Administrator Frederick D. Gregory today
announced Dr. Julian M. Earls as the new Center Director for
the agency’s Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland,
effective Oct. 1. Earls currently serves as the center’s
Deputy Center Director. He will succeed Donald J. Campbell,
who was selected to lead NASA’s Special Projects Office for
Nuclear Power Systems.
“Julian’s selection brings stability and continuity to Glenn
during this important transition,” said NASA Administrator
Sean O’Keefe. “He’s a proven leader with unparalleled
academic credentials, and I am pleased he accepted the
challenge to lead Glenn at this juncture in the agency’s
history.”
Earls holds six university degrees. He earned his bachelor’s
degree in physics from Norfolk State University, Va., his
master’s degree in radiation biology from the University of
Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York and
his doctorate in radiation physics from the University of
Michigan.
He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Science degree by the
College of Aeronautics in New York, the Honorary Doctor of
Pedagogy degree by Nova Southeastern University in Florida,
and the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by North
Carolina A&T State University. Earls also earned the
equivalent of the master’s degree in environmental health
from the University of Michigan and is a graduate of the
Harvard Business School’s prestigious Program for Management
Development.
As Glenn’s new Center Director, Earls is responsible for the
center’s research, technology and systems development
programs in aeronautical propulsion, space propulsion, space
power, space communications, and microgravity sciences.
Earls’ distinguished career with NASA began in 1968 when he
joined the agency to lead the GRC health physics program. He
was chosen as Chief of the center’s Health, Safety and
Security Division in 1983. In 1988 he was selected as
Director for the Office of Health Services, where he was an
innovator in health service systems, directing the
occupational medicine program, health-screening clinic and
physical fitness programs.
In 1992, Earls became Assistant Deputy Director for Glenn’s
Business Resources Development, and in 1994 he was promoted
to Director of Administration and Computer Services and Chief
Information Officer. He became Deputy Director for Operations
in 1995 and was selected as GRC Deputy Center Director in
2002.
“This was not a difficult decision. Julian’s dedication to
NASA and his wealth of experience across so many disciplines
made him a natural selection,” added Administrator O’Keefe.
“I’m sure his colleagues at Glenn join me in supporting
Julian as he strives to continue the center’s historic legacy
of research and technology development.”
Earls wrote the first health physics guides used at NASA and
has written nearly 30 publications for technical and
education journals. He has been a Distinguished Honors
Visiting Professor at numerous universities throughout the
nation. Twice he has been awarded NASA medals for exceptional
achievement and outstanding leadership. Also, he has received
the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive.
NASA Glenn is located at Lewis Field, a 350-acre site,
adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The
center is made up of more than 150 buildings, which contain a
unique collection of world-class research facilities. Glenn
was founded in 1941 as the Aircraft Engine Research
Laboratory for the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics, NASA’s predecessor.
Information about NASA and the Glenn Research Center is
available on the Internet at:
