Lawrence Friedl

Lawrence Friedl is the director of the Applied Sciences Program in the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters. The Program works with partners worldwide to inform decision-making, enhance quality of life and strengthen the economy using Earth observations. Lawrence has been with NASA since 2002 and has served as the program manager for Health & Air Quality and several other Program Areas.

As director, Lawrence is a vice-chair of the interagency U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO) and represents the United States in the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO). He serves as the NASA principal for the interagency Civil Applications Committee, is on the International Committee for Remote Sensing of Environment (ICORSE) and participates in the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) International Scientific Advisory Committee. Recently, he served on the National Space Club’s Award Committee for Innovative Uses of Earth Observation Satellite Data and the Organizing Committee for the American Meteorological Society’s 2014 meeting.

Before joining NASA, Lawrence worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he focused on applications of geospatial data and technology. He also served as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller in NASA’s Mission Control Center for 15 missions, including several Earth science missions. He joined the federal government as a Presidential Management Intern.

Lawrence received a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where he specialized in science and technology policy. He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University. He also received a certificate in space policy and law from the International Space University.