ASGSR Announces Dr. Gale Allen, Former NASA Deputy Chief Scientist, as Executive Director

The American Society for Gravitational and Space Research
Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Dr. Gale Allen will assume the role of executive
director. Dr. Gale Allen replaces Ms. Cindy Martin-Brennan who announced
she would be vacating as executive director after serving eight years in the
role.

Dr. Allen will assume the role of executive director on May 1, 2018,
after her retirement from NASA. Gale will be responsible for implementing
the policies and vision of the board of directors. She will serve as the main
public contact and spokesperson for the organization, and will represent
ASGSR and all professional business capacities. “Dr. Allen’s expertise in
space research policy is outstanding, and that expertise comes with a deep
appreciation for the scope of work being conducted by the ASGSR research
and development community,” says Dr. Anna-Lisa Paul, President of the
American Society for Gravitational and Space Research.

Dr. Allen was the
Deputy Chief Scientist at NASA Headquarters from 2011 through 2016, and Acting Chief
Scientist between December 2016 and April 2018. She began her NASA career at the Kennedy
Space Center as Chief of the Materials and Chemistry Branch, and served NASA as the
Associate Director of Technology Programs and Commercialization. At NASA HQ, Dr. Allen
managed the Bioastronautics (human research and life support) Research Program, served as
deputy for the Human Systems Research and Technology Program, and Director of the Strategic
Integration and Management Division before moving to her current position. Dr. Allen has
received a NASA Space Act, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, and an Outstanding
Leadership Medal. She is a member of Women in Aerospace, an elected member of the Brenau
University Board of Trustees, and is President of the Zonta Club of Fairfax County. Dr. Allen
holds a B. S. in Chemistry, an M.S. in Chemistry from Old Dominion University, an MBA in
Management from Brenau University, and a Doctorate in Business Administration with an
emphasis in high technology partnership development from Nova Southeastern University. Dr.
Allen resides in the Washington DC metropolitan area.