David Grinspoon | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Grinspoon in 2014 | |
| Born | David H. Grinspoon (1959-12-22)December 22, 1959 (age 65) |
| Alma mater | Brown University (BA,BS) University of Arizona (PhD) |
| Occupation | Astrobiologist |
| Father | Lester Grinspoon |
| Relatives | Harold Grinspoon (uncle),Peter Grinspoon (brother) |
| Awards | Asteroid Grinspoon Carl Sagan Medal PEN Center USA Literary Award for Research Nonfiction Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astrobiology |
| Institutions | NASA |
| Website | funkyscience |
David H. Grinspoon (born December 22, 1959) is an Americanastrobiologist. He is the Senior Scientist for Astrobiology Strategy atNASA[1] and was the former inauguralBaruch S. BlumbergNASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology for 2012–2013.[2][3][4][5][6]
His research focuses oncomparative planetology, with a focus on climate evolution on Earth-like planets and implications for habitability. He has also studied, written and lectured on the human influence on Earth, as seen in cosmic perspective.
He has published four books,Venus Revealed, which was a finalist for theLos Angeles Times book prize,Lonely Planets: The Natural Philosophy of Alien Life, which won the 2004 PEN literary award for nonfiction,[7]Earth in Human Hands, which was named one of NPR'sScience Friday "Best Science Books of 2016" andChasing New Horizons: Inside the Epic First Mission to Pluto, co-authored withAlan Stern. He is adjunct professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Science at theUniversity of Colorado,[8] a former Fellow of the Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Engagement atDartmouth College[9] and a former Distinguished Visiting Scholar in the College of the Environment atWesleyan University.[10]
Grinspoon was born in 1959. His father wasHarvard psychiatrist and authorLester Grinspoon.[11] He holds degrees in philosophy of science and planetary science fromBrown University and a PhD inplanetary science from theUniversity of Arizona.[5] He is the nephew of real estate developer and philanthropistHarold Grinspoon.
Grinspoon has served as an advisor toNASA on space exploration strategy,[12] and as an Interdisciplinary Scientist on theEuropean Space Agency'sVenus Express spacecraft mission to Venus.[13] He was a science team member of theNASA Astrobiology Institute Titan Team,[14] and served as science Co-Investigator and team lead for Education and Public Outreach for theRadiation Assessment Detector (RAD) on theMars Science Laboratory.[5][15][16] Currently he serves on the Science Team for NASA'sDAVINCI spacecraft mission which will launch to Venus in the 2030 timeframe.
Grinspoon writes the bi-monthly "Cosmic Relief" column forSky & Telescope magazine, where he is also a contributing editor.[17][18] In addition, he has appeared several times as a guest, and also as guest host, ofNeil deGrasse Tyson's popular podcast and live showsStarTalk.[19]
In 2013, he was invited to give the Carl Sagan Lecture at the Fall meeting of theAmerican Geophysical Union.[citation needed]
Grinspoon currently serves as an adjunct professor atGeorgetown University.
Grinspoon has won many awards including the 2006Carl Sagan Medal by theDivision for Planetary Sciences of theAmerican Astronomical Society for excellence in public communication of planetary science; Alpha Geek 2007 byWIRED Magazine; the 2004PEN Center USA Literary Award for Research Nonfiction forLonely Planets; 1997Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist forVenus Revealed; and the 1989Gerard P. Kuiper Memorial Award at theUniversity of Arizona.[1] In 2018 he was awarded the Eugene Shoemaker Award by the Beyond Center at Arizona State University. In 2022 he was elected as a LifetimeFellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Asteroid22410 Grinspoon, a main-belt asteroid, is named after him.
Grinspoon is a musician who has played guitar and composed for many bands. Currently, he is performing with the House Band of the Universe. He lives inWashington, D.C., with his wife.[citation needed]
