Will Serve In That Capacity For The International Space University For A Three-Year Term

After a unanimous decision from the International Space University (ISU) Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund accepted the offer to take the function of ISU Vice-Chancellor for the next 3 years initially. After the nomination of Dr. Buzz Aldrin as Chancellor, this diversification fits well in the ISU philosophy both from a gender, as well as from a geographical perspective.

Prof. Dr. Ehrenfreund studied astronomy and microbiology in Austria, obtained a PhD in astrophysics in France and a master’s degree in management in USA, hence can clearly be considered as a true internationalist. She has been both professor in astrobiology at Dutch Universities as well as professor in space policy at the George Washington University in USA.

As a scientist she was involved in several astrobiology experiments as PI (Principal Investigator), but also in space policy work, such as chairing the COSPAR Panel on Exploration, PEX.

After being chair of the Austrian Science Fund, she was nominated in 2015 as Chair of the Executive Board at DLR, the German Aerospace Agency, being the first woman ever leading the Agency.

She has been a regular presenter in ISU at several events and in the Space Studies Program (SSP).

As one interesting feature, it shall also be mentioned that in view of her scientific achievements, a main-belt asteroid (9826 Ehrenfreund) is named in her honor.

At a moment that ISU launches a Women In Aerospace chapter in Strasbourg, this gender diversification in the ISU management structure is highly welcomed, the organization said.

(Image provided with ISU news release)

FMI: www.isunet.edu