|
In August, officials from Dartmouth and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) signed a
memorandum of understanding that promotes and encourages a two-way exchange of
expertise and opportunities between the two organizations. JPL is a federally
funded research and development center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA), and it is managed for the government by the California Institute of Technology.
 Seated: JPL
Director Charles Elachi (left) and Provost Barry Scherr. Standing, left to
right: JPL Program Manager Mike Devirian, Associate Professor of Physics and
Astronomy Brian Chaboyer, JPL Chief Scientist Daniel McCleese, and Vice Provost
for Research Martin Wybourne. (Photo by Joseph Mehling ’69)
|
Of the new arrangement, Provost Barry Scherr
says, "Dartmouth is pleased to be one of 10 institutions selected by JPL for
their research partnership program. This will certainly be a mutually
beneficial initiative. It will bring opportunities to our students and faculty,
and it will offer JPL scientists the chance to come to Hanover and share their
experiences."
The agreement, which continues through June 2010, encourages the exchange of
personnel between JPL and Dartmouth for seminars and workshops, and it enables
Dartmouth undergraduate and graduate students to participate in JPL research.
Dartmouth and JPL researchers will also have the ability to jointly submit
proposals for projects of mutual or complementary interest.
"Developing a strategic partnership with one of the country's leading
laboratories is exciting," says Martin
Wybourne, the vice provost for research. "The partnership will enable
Dartmouth students and faculty to work with JPL scientists, particularly in the
areas of physics, nanomaterials, engineering, astronomy, robotics, and remote
sensing. It will also open the possibility for Dartmouth personnel to
participate on NASA/JPL advisory boards."
One project already benefiting from the agreement is Brian
Chaboyer's work on the NASA/JPL program called SIM PlanetQuest, a
mission currently in development to measure more accurately the distances to
stars throughout the galaxy and to search nearby stars for Earth-like
planets.
"Working with JPL will be valuable for the Dartmouth community," says
Chaboyer, associate professor of physics and astronomy. "I envision numerous
projects developing as we build relationships and establish our connections.
SIM PlanetQuest is just the beginning."
By SUSAN KNAPP
|
RSS/XML Feed