Clive R. Neal, associate professor of civil engineering and geological sciences at the University of Notre Dame, has been named chair of NASAs Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG). As chair, he also will sit on the Planetary Science Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council.
LEAG is responsible for analyzing scientific, technical, commercial and operational issues associated with lunar exploration. It provides findings from these analyses to NASA through the NASA Advisory Council.
LEAG is an important means for NASA to interact with the science, engineering and commerce communities, especially during the implementation of the Vision for Space Exploration,said NASA administrator Michael Griffin, who appointed Neal.Dr. Neals expertise in guiding the LEAG will be very beneficial.
President Bush announced the Vision for Space Exploration in 2004, committing theUnited Statesto a long-term human and robotic program to explore the solar system, starting with a return to the moon that will ultimately enable future exploration of Mars and other destinations.
Neals research interests include the evolution of the moon and Mars and the origin of the solar system. Prior to joining the Notre Dame faculty in 1990, he was a postdoctoral researcher at theUniversityofTennessee, where he first had the opportunity to work on moon rocks. He also is chair of the Lunar Sample Allocation Subcommittee of NASAs Curation and Analysis Planning Team for Extraterrestrial Materials.
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Contact: * _Clive R. Neal, associate professor of civil engineering and geological sciences, 574-631-8328, neal.1@nd.edu
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