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Lynn Harper

Hi! I'm Lynn Harper and I am the Lead of the Astrobiology Advanced Missions and Technologies. For the past two years my particular work has been the special assignment to promote the development of the science, technology, mission, education and outreach elements of the Astrobiology program. As you can imagine, I am really busy and am new to Women of NASA. Below is background information about my education and work. I will rewrite a more "personal" profile soon!

Senior Systems Engineer, Center for Mars Exploration, Space Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center (10/94 to 10/96). Senior engineer responsible for developing, proposing, and advocating advanced concepts for Astrobiology (study of the living universe). Special projects include using Space Station as a testbed for resolving technical and physiological issues related to Mars exploration; converting Space Station into a Mars Transfer Vehicle; developing Mars in situ resource utilization concepts; and developing and evaluating alternative human exploration of Mars concepts. Other duties include Astrobiology research and development concepts.

Chief (Acting 6/93 to 10/94) Advanced Life Support Division; Deputy Chief, Advanced Life Support Division, NASA Ames Research Center (1990-1993) Managed research and technology development, including flight research, of Regenerative Life Support Systems (RLS) and Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Systems for use on Space Station, the Moon, and Mars; managed transfer of these technologies for economic, environmental and other public benefits. Instrumental in establishing the Advanced Life Support Division. Line manager for 24 scientific/technical and six administrative civil servants as well as contract oversight for 100 contractors and professional associates. Responsibilities included technical, programmatic, and budget management and interface with NASA Headquarters, Senior Advisory Groups, media, and the public. Results included two successful Space Shuttle experiments, two Mir experiments (one successful, one under development), first successful peer reviewed science proposals in RLS, breakthrough in development of new mobility joint for space suit, establishment of the NASA/Alaska and CELSS Antarctic Analog technology transfer projects, new concepts in portable life support systems and EVA suit design, two new research instruments for CELSS investigations in space and on Earth, and HAZMAT technology transfer concept.

Study Team Leader for Life Sciences, Life Support, and EVA on NASA's 90-Day Study for Human Exploration of the Moon and Mars (1989)

Program Manager, Advanced Missions and Special Projects, Space Life Sciences Division, NASA Headquarters (1986-89) Initiated, established and managed the Controlled Ecological Life Support System Flight Program and the Exobiology Flight Program. Served as Program Manager (HQ) and Deputy Project Manager for NASA's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Project (SETI). Served as Executive Secretary of the Life Sciences Advisory Committee and the Aerospace Medical Advisory Committee of the NASA Advisory Council. Managed science instrument development programs for Space Shuttle, Space Station and unmanned planetary exploration spacecraft for Exobiology and Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems investigations and computer and radio telescope development and applications programs for SETI.

Technical Director, Washington Office, General Electric Management and Technical Services Company, Space Systems Division (1983-86) Managed flight and program science and engineering analyses for Spacelab Life Sciences missions for Biomedical Research, Gravitational Biology, and Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems investigations to assure their accommodation in the spacecraft. Developed conceptual design for Exobiology Gas/Grain simulation facility on Space Station. Instrumental in developing Spacelab Sample Bank, Shuttle Middeck Small Payloads Program, and the Space Life Sciences Training Program for undergraduate students. Wrote the first manual for life sciences investigations in space.

Technical Writer and Assistant Manger, Washington Office, the Bionetics Corporation (1982-83) Responsible for editing the Global Biology Program Plan, the Exobiology Program Plan, the Spacelab 4 Program plan, the Life Sciences Division plans, public information brochures.

Special Honors: Three NASA Group Achievement Awards; NASA Sustained Superior Performance Award; General Electric Manager's Award.

Education: B.A., M.S. Cell and Molecular Biology; University of Bridgeport. Research in marine oceanography at Brookhaven National Laboratories; Master's thesis research in recombinant DNA as Visiting Research Associate at Stanford University.

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