Dr. France studies the formation and evolution of exoplanetary systems, from their birth as protoplanetary disks to the physical characteristic of exoplanetary atmospheres. He also develops astronomical instrumentation, flight-testing these instruments on NASA-supported rocket and small satellite payloads. This work provides the opportunity to carry out unique science investigations while training the next generation of space scientists and raising the technology readiness level of critical path technologies, essential to the large ultraviolet/optical astronomy missions of the next three decades.