NASA will participate in the National Society of Black Engineer’s (NSBE) Region V Fall Regional Conference Nov. 19-21 at the Hilton Americas Hotel, Houston, to showcase the engineering contributions that make space exploration a reality.

Dr. Julian M. Earls, director of NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, will provide the keynote address during the conference’s Vanguard Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. CST Nov. 20. Earls will be introduced by Johnson Space Center Director Jefferson D. Howell, Jr. Media are invited to attend. Interview opportunities with Earls will be available. Interested media should contact Deborah Thigpen with the JSC Public Affairs Office at 281/483-7269.

NASA’s three-day agenda for the conference includes professional, technical and personal enhancement workshops, space-related exhibits, and tours of the Johnson Space Center. NASA’s involvement is designed to appeal to all levels of engineering professionals as well as students ranging from middle school through post-graduate studies.

Earls is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the activities required to accomplish the missions assigned to the Glenn Research Center. The center is engaged in research, technology and systems development programs in aeronautical propulsion, space propulsion, space power, space communications and microgravity sciences in combustion and fluid physics.

Since beginning his career with NASA in 1965, Earls has written 28 publications for technical and educational journals. He wrote the first health physics guides used at NASA. He has been a distinguished honors visiting professor at numerous universities throughout the nation. On two occasions, he has been awarded NASA medals for exceptional achievement and outstanding leadership. Also, he has received the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive.

For additional information about the NSBE Region V Fall Conference, visit:

http://www.nsbe.org/region5/

For more information about NASA and its programs, visit:

www.nasa.gov