Leadership Shift at NASA’s JPL

David Gallagher (Photo -NASA/JPL-Caltech)

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is preparing for a leadership change as Laurie Leshin, its director since 2022, will step down from her post on Sunday, June 1. David Gallagher, a veteran of the Lab with over three decades of experience, will assume leadership of the federally funded research and development center, managed by Caltech for NASA.

By News Desk

Leshin, a distinguished geochemist and former Caltech vice president, took the helm of JPL just over three years ago and leaves behind a notable legacy of mission launches, technological milestones, and scientific discoveries. Under her stewardship, JPL advanced and launched several high-profile NASA missions, including EMIT, SWOT, Psyche, PREFIRE, Europa Clipper, and SPHEREx. The lab also readied the NASA-Indian satellite NISAR for its expected launch in June, and pushed forward on the asteroid-hunting NEO Surveyor and the CADRE lunar rover program.

“I am proud of the many things JPL has accomplished over the past three years,” Leshin said. “We saved Voyager more than once and flew into history on Mars with Ingenuity. We have made more amazing scientific discoveries than I can name, including finding potential ancient martian biomarkers with Perseverance.”

Beyond her administrative role, Leshin will continue to contribute to planetary science in her position as Bren Professor of Geochemistry and Planetary Science at Caltech. Her decision to step down is for personal reasons, according to a statement from the institute.

Caltech President Thomas Rosenbaum acknowledged her contributions: “We will miss her drive, compassion, and dedication. At the same time, we are grateful to Dave Gallagher for his continuing leadership and partnership going forward.”

Founded in 1936 and operated by Caltech since 1958, JPL remains a critical engine of innovation for NASA and the broader scientific community. As Gallagher steps into the director’s role, he inherits not just a legacy, but a laboratory poised to shape the future of space exploration.