Purdue researcher named division director at NASA

August 3, 2012  


Marshall Porterfield

Marshall Porterfield
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Marshall Porterfield, a Purdue University professor of agricultural and biological engineering and biomedical engineering, will become director of NASA's Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications Division for the next two to three years.

Porterfield will take a leave of absence from Purdue, though he will remain a tenured professor and his research programs will continue. He plans to return to campus every few weeks to work with graduate students.

"Purdue's history is intimately intertwined with the history of human space exploration. For me, it is an amazing opportunity to continue that tradition in a position that will have such impact on the International Space Station research era at NASA," Porterfield said. "What we accomplish in this program will determine the direction of human exploration in the future. It is a profound responsibility that I don't take lightly."

Porterfield will oversee four program areas: fundamental space biology, physical sciences, human research programs and the International Space Station laboratory. He will also act as a liaison between NASA and the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The appointment contract is for two years, but Porterfield said he has committed to three years in the position.

Writer: Brian Wallheimer, 765-496-2050, bwallhei@purdue.edu

Source: Marshall Porterfield, 765-494-1190, porterf@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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