A new director has stepped up to lead the Carl Sagan Centerfor Study of Life in the Universe at the SETI Institute, taking the reins fromprevious long-time director and SETI pioneer, Frank Drake.
The new chief, David Morrison, was appropriately the firstdoctoral student of famed astronomer Carl Sagan. In addition to his newdirectorial position at the SETIInstitute, Morrison retains (part time) his previous position at NASA AmesResearch Center, located in Moffett Field, Calif., where he is Director of theNASA Lunar Science Institute and Senior Scientist for Astrobiology.
"The SETI Institute has partnered with scientists atNASA Ames in a teaming arrangement that has greatly benefited bothorganizations," said Morrison in a statement. "The Institute playedan especially important role in the development of the new multidisciplinaryfield of astrobiology. I always hoped that I would eventually find a way towork more directly with them."
"There are many outstanding space scientists andastrobiologists in the Carl Sagan Center, and our leadership role in the studyof life in the universe is sure to grow," Morrison said.
The Center's former director Frank Drakeis retiring and will join the SETI Institute Board of Directors.
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