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Creation Date
2018
Biography
Dr. Smith is a leader and innovator for research and technology development at Kennedy Space Center. With more than 20 years of experience at NASA, as a research scientist and manager of scientists and innovative partnerships, and as lead for NASA research programs & projects, Jeff has worked across several NASA Centers and with NASA Headquarters to advance the research and technology missions of the Agency.
Currently, Dr. Smith is serving as the Chief of the Science and Technology Projects Division in the Exploration Research and Technology Programs Directorate at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The Division consists of over 40 civil servant researchers, engineers and project managers working in a number of technical areas spanning launch systems, cryogenic propellant systems, applied chemistry, applied physics, spaceflight hardware development, automation and robotics, in-situ resource utilization and the innovative, rapid-development, capability of the KSC Swamp Works. He has published over 40 journal articles, proceedings, technical reports and abstracts in the scientific literature.
Dr. Smith graduated from Miami University, Oxford Ohio, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Engineering Physics and Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology; he earned his Ph. D. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado, Boulder.