NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Mr. Alphonso V. Diaz became the Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate on August 1, 2004. The new science organization will carry out the scientific exploration of the Earth, Moon, Mars and beyond; chart the best route of discovery; and reap the benefits of Earth and space exploration for society. This combined organization will best be able to establish an understanding of the Earth, other planets and their evolution, bring the lessons of our study of Earth to the exploration of the Solar System, and to assure the discoveries made here will enhance our work there.

Prior to this assignment, Mr. Diaz led the Goddard Space Flight Center. As Center Director, he was responsible for planning, organizing, and directing NASA's Earth science, space science and technology programs assigned to the Center. He was appointed to this position January 12, 1998. Previously, he had served as Goddard's Deputy Director since 1996. Prior to becoming Goddard's Deputy Director, Diaz was Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Science at NASA Headquarters from 1993 - 1996. From 1989 to March 1993, Mr. Diaz served as Deputy Associate Administrator and Chief Engineer of the Office of Space Science (Code S) at NASA Headquarters. In that capacity, he was responsible for management direction and oversight of space science flight program policy, launch vehicle requirements, technology infusion requirements, and mission study reviews and assessments. Mr. Diaz led the Agency committee charted by the Administrator to study proposals related to science institutes and to provide recommendations for implementation. Prior key positions with NASA include Deputy Associate Administrator for the former Office of Space Science and Applications (OSSA), Assistant Associate Administrator for Programs within OSSA, and Director for Strategic Plans and Programs for Space Station.

Mr. Diaz began his career at NASA's Langley Research Center in 1964. At Langley, he worked in a variety of technical management positions, principally on the Viking Project, GAS Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer. This scientific instrument was the first to analyze the surface material on Mars in 1976. In 1979, Mr. Diaz began his work at NASA Headquarters, where he served in a variety of positions. Aside from the positions mentioned above, Mr. Diaz also has served as the International Solar-Polar Mission (now Ulysses Mission) Program Manager, the Galileo Program Manager, Manager of Planetary Advanced Programs, and as Deputy Director of the Solar System Exploration Division. He later served as Assistant Associate Administrator for Space Station within OSSA, managing all activities on the use of the planned Space Station for scientific research, and providing strategic planning guidance for OSSA's overall program of scientific exploration. Mr. Diaz received three Presidential Rank Awards; two as Meritorious Executive in 1990 and in 1995, and one Distinguished Award in 1996. He also has received two Medals, a NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal in 1994 for his work on the Hubble Space Telescope First Servicing Mission, and an Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for his work on the Viking Project in 1976.

Mr. Diaz received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a Master of Science degree in Physics from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. In addition, he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management as a NASA Sloan Fellow and received a Master of Science in management from MIT in 1986.