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Laurie Leshin began her role as University Professor for Space Futures at Arizona State University on January 1. Previously, she was director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory from 2022 to May 2025 and a professor at Caltech until December 2025.

At ASU, she will advise leadership on space, research, and education, collaborating with various institutes. Leshin emphasized the need for Arizona to leverage its space capabilities amid growing commercial investment.

She aims to accelerate ASU's contribution to the evolving space sector, building on the university's active space missions and innovative programs. Leshin, a Tempe native and ASU alumna, expressed her pride in returning to her roots and contributing to the state's advancements in space exploration.