Nicola Fox: NASA's Head of Science
Nicola Fox, appointed in 2023, is NASA's Associate Administrator for Science Mission Directorate and its head of science. Her background includes leading the Parker Solar Probe mission, which investigates the coronal heating problem and solar wind origins. She also served as the Director of NASA's Heliophysics Science Division and as the Science and Operations Coordinator for the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative.
Fox, who earned a doctorate in space and atmospheric physics from Imperial College London, attributes her passion for science to her father, who showed her the Apollo 11 Moon landing at a young age. Her research focuses on solar system plasma physics and data analysis, particularly studying the magnetopause using spacecraft. Fox is a strong advocate for public engagement, having led outreach programs on space weather throughout her career. She is also an expert for The Planetary Society and has received numerous awards for her contributions to science, including the Young Scientists Award from the European Geosciences Union and the Outstanding Performance Award from the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative.