Dr. Firouz Naderi
Former Director for Solar System Exploration at NASA
Dr. Naderi is the former Director for Solar System Exploration at NASA’s JPL where he spent more than 30 years in various technical and senior executive positions. While best known for his leadership of Mars exploration program, he has contributed to some of the most iconic NASA robotic missions to various corners of solar system. He is a “Fellow” of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautic (AIAA) and has been honored multiple times including NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal as well as NASA’s highest award the Distinguished Service Medal. Most notably for his career contributions to space science and exploration, in March 2016, Asteroid 1989 EL1 was renamed Asteroid “Naderi 5515”. He is a 2005 recipient of Ellis Island Medal of honor for contribution to America by its notable immigrants.
He is frequently invited as a keynote & motivational speaker at conferences and workshops where he inspires the audience with wonders of space exploration. His universities talks have taken him to Oxford, Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, University of Toronto, and Duke University among others. Currently, he serves as consultant, and advisor to early-stage startups.