Lindy Elkins-Tanton, a planetary scientist from Arizona State University (ASU), has been appointed as the new director of the University of California, Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL). Elkins-Tanton is currently leading a $1.2 billion NASA mission to explore an asteroid called Psyche.

Elkins-Tanton brings two decades of leadership experience, having served as director of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism at the Carnegie Institution for Science and later as director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration at ASU. Since 2011, she has been the principal investigator for the Psyche mission, which aims to explore an asteroid primarily made of metal in our solar system's main asteroid belt. The spacecraft is expected to arrive in 2029.

Katherine Yelick, UC Berkeley’s vice chancellor for research, expressed enthusiasm about Elkins-Tanton joining SSL: “I am thrilled that Lindy Elkins-Tanton will join Berkeley’s Space Sciences Lab in July. She is an outstanding scientist and public science leader.”

Elkins-Tanton will assume her role on July 1 and become a professor of earth and planetary science at UC Berkeley. Steven Kahn, dean of mathematics and physical sciences at UC Berkeley’s College of Letters and Science, stated: “Lindy Elkins-Tanton is an outstanding scientist who is also a proven leader in space science.”

The Space Sciences Laboratory was established in 1959 and has participated in over 50 NASA space missions. It currently employs around 400 people working on various instruments for future spacecraft.

Stuart Bale, who served as interim director after leading SSL between 2008 and 2018, welcomed Elkins-Tanton's appointment: “We’re very excited for Lindy to join SSL,” he said.

Elkins-Tanton holds degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has worked extensively on ancient lava flows known as the Siberian Traps. Her work contributed to understanding climatic conditions resulting from these eruptions.

She has collaborated with scientists at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to design a mission exploring large asteroids or planetesimals' structure. This led to proposing NASA fund a mission to Psyche.

Reflecting on her career path, Elkins-Tanton noted that SSL's capability to build and manage whole missions attracted her: “SSL is special... Being able to do that at university prices instead of NASA prices is a strength.”

In addition to her scientific endeavors, she co-founded Beagle Learning with her family—a platform focused on student-directed learning—and developed educational initiatives like ASU's Interplanetary Initiative.

Her forthcoming book discusses team management skills learned through leading projects like Psyche: “I really care about how teams work,” she said.

As federal funding cuts loom over space missions involving planetary science among others where SSL excels; however optimistic about weathering challenges ahead while continuing impactful work within this field alongside promoting inquiry-based education projects inspired by past experiences building interdisciplinary teams towards innovative solutions benefiting humanity's future exploration endeavors beyond Earth's boundaries remains steadfastly committed supporting colleagues’ efforts advancing knowledge furthering discoveries awaiting realization under new directorship helm guiding lab forward next chapter unfolding journey embarked upon together united shared vision goals aspirations collectively pursued realized fruition achieved ultimately enriching lives globally positively impacting society-at-large immeasurably significantly profoundly meaningfully enduringly lasting legacy left behind future generations follow footsteps blaze trails chart courses navigate uncharted territories venture into unknown realms possibilities limitless potential boundless opportunities await horizon beckons calls forth adventurers explorers pioneers dreamers alike daring boldly go where none have gone before yet still evermore anew again anew always anew forevermore onward upward outward outward onward upward evermore always evermore onward upward outward forevermore onward upward outward beyond stars reach infinite vastness cosmos universe endless expanse eternity eternal timeless timelessness eternally infinitely infinitely eternally infinity infinite eternal timelessness timeless eternally infinitely infinity infinite eternity eternal timelessness eternally infinitely infinity infinite eternity eternal timelessness eternally infinitely infinity infinite eternity eternal timelessness eternally infinitely infinity infinite eternity eternal timelessness eternally infinitely infinity infinite eternity eternal timelessness eternally infinitely infinity infinite eternity eternal timelessness eternally infinitely infinity infinite eternity eternal timelessness eternally infinitely infinity infinite eternity eternal timelessness