the ISS National Lab Inducts Seven Board Members

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (November 16, 2012) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab), the nonprofit organization promoting and managing research on board the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, last night inducted its first seven members to the organization’s permanent Board of Directors.

the ISS National Lab Board Members are divided into two categories in accordance with the organization’s bylaws – “managing members” and “scientific members” – to ensure a solid distribution of skills. The following individuals have been inducted into the the ISS National Lab Board of Directors (biographies attached to this release):

Scientific Members:

• Bess Dawson-Hughes, M.D., Director, Bone Metabolism Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University
• Andrei E. Ruckenstein, Ph.D., Vice President Research & Associate Provost, Boston University
• Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, Ph.D., Professor & Vice Chair, Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University

Managing Members:

• France Córdova, Ph.D., President Emerita, Purdue University
• Lewis Duncan, Ph.D., President, Rollins College
• Leroy Hood, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder & President, Institute for Systems Biology
• Howard Zucker, M.D., J.D., Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University

Following the induction, the ISS National Lab’ three Interim Board Members formally stepped down, to enable the new Board to begin its governance responsibilities.

Currently, newly-inducted Board members are preparing for their first, in-person Board meeting, scheduled to take place on December 13, 2012 in Washington D.C. at The Florida House. The the ISS National Lab Board of Directors will host a brief media availability from 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. at The Florida House in Washington D.C. following the initial Board Meeting.

Starting in spring of 2012, the the ISS National Lab Interim Board engaged national executive search firm Korn Ferry to identify and vet qualified candidates from the U.S. science and university communities, in accordance with requirements of the organization’s bylaws, and agreements with Congress and NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Candidates were selected by the following criteria:

• A demonstrated career in a commercial, academic or scientific area
• Experience in serving in high visibility positions and in leadership
• Management of a university or technically centric corporation, or a non-profit organization tackling life quality challenges through applied science
• Demonstrated performance as a board member fulfilling fiduciary duties.

Additionally, the ISS National Lab Board Members selected for the Scientific Category were required to: (1) be nationally- recognized contributors in their fields – as an expert in either biology, chemistry, physics or materials sciences preferably and (2) understand the perspectives of both primary research and applied research.

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About the ISS National Lab: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISS National Lab) was selected by NASA in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. the ISS National Lab is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. The the ISS National Lab goal is to bring the magic of space down to earth. For more information, visit issnationallab.org.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation’s newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. setting, vantage point in low earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles. and varied environments of space. The ISS National Laboratory Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center currently facilitates research initiatives on board the station’s National Lab, but management of America’s only in-orbit laboratory is transitioning to the ISS National Lab.

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