Dr. Bethany Ehlmann
Director
As the director of LASP, Bethany is committed to accomplishing the mission of CU Boulder’s largest research institute: to transform human understanding of the cosmos by developing new technologies and approaches to space science and empowering the next generation of space professionals through forefront research, innovation, and learning as members of LASP project teams. Bethany, a planetary scientist, also holds faculty roles of Provost’s Chair in the Research and Innovation Office, Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences, and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences.
Bethany’s research focuses on water in the solar system, the evolution of habitable worlds, and remote sensing techniques and instruments for planetary missions. She is a science team member of multiple missions, including the Jupiter-bound Europa Clipper; the Earth-orbiting EMIT imaging spectrometer; the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover; the Mars2020 Perseverance rover; the upcoming ExoMars rover, and orbiting and landed spectrometers for the Artemis lunar program. Previously, she was a science team member for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter CRISM instrument, the Dawn mission during its exploration of the asteroid Ceres, the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, and Principal Investigator of Lunar Trailblazer. Bethany came to CU Boulder from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she served as a Professor of Planetary Science and Director of Caltech’s Keck Institute for Space Studies.
Active in science policy and outreach, Bethany is President of the board of directors of The Planetary Society. She previously served as a member of the National Academies Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey and the National Academies Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science. She is a fellow of both the American Geophysical Union and the Mineralogical Society of America, and has authored a children’s book, “Dr. E’s Super Stellar Solar System,” with National Geographic.
Dr. Frank Eparvier
Associate Director for Science
As LASP’s lead scientist, Frank guides LASP’s science priorities and manages the institute’s 135 scientists and extensive portfolio of research programs. Because the external environment in which LASP operates is continually changing, Frank works to recognize these changes and their implications for LASP’s strategic direction so the institute remains competitive. Frank served as LASP’s interim director from January through August 2025, and prior to that worked as a LASP researcher for more than 25 years. He’s an expert in measuring the Sun’s output of light energy and has served as the principal investigator for the four EXIS instruments aboard the NOAA GOES constellation of weather satellites. He earned a Ph.D. from CU Boulder in 1991 and is the author or co-author of more than 125 publications.
Gary Henry
Executive Associate Director
Gary is responsible for lab-wide operations and organizational effectiveness. He oversees the IT, Human Resources, Facilities, and Export Control teams, which provide crucial support for the institute’s development of new technologies and approaches to space science. He also supports industry and non-NASA business development efforts and the implementation of LASP’s strategic plan. Gary brings more than three decades of experience in operations, major system acquisition, contracting, and program management for federal agencies, state government, and the aerospace industry. He previously served as a senior level Air Force officer in a variety of command and staff leadership roles. Prior to coming to LASP, Gary was the Asst Vice Chancellor for Research and Director of the Office of Contracts and Grants for CU Boulder. Gary will be working concurrently as the Asst Vice Chancellor for Research Management under CU Boulder’s Research & Innovation Office.
Scott Tucker
Director of Engineering
As the leader of LASP’s engineering division, Scott manages 48 active flight and technology development projects and supervises nearly 275 professional and student engineers. He brings more than two decades of engineering and project management experience to the role, much of it gained at LASP. This includes working as the mechanical engineering lead for the Axial Double Probe instrument on NASA’s MMS mission, managing the lab’s mechanical analysis and test group, and more recently serving as the program manager on multiple NASA spaceflight instruments, including the SUDA and IDEX dust instruments on NASA’s Europa Clipper and IMAP missions. Scott holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Chris Pankratz
Director of Mission Operations and Data Systems
Chris leads LASP’s mission operations and data systems division, a group of 150 professionals and students responsible for LASP’s space mission and instrument operations and data handling systems. The division operates NASA and non-NASA spacecraft and CubeSats, plus more than 140 instruments with valuations exceeding $1 billon. Chris brings more than 30 years of engineering, science, management, operations, and data processing and analysis experience. This includes at the High Altitude Observatory at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and at LASP, where he has served as the data systems department head since 2005. He has managed numerous mission operations and data center implementation efforts, including for SORCE, AIM, and MMS.
Dr. Pamela Millar
Director of Strategic Development and Partnerships
Pam oversees LASP technology and business development to enable growth by strategically identifying, assessing, and implementing ongoing and new research opportunities with federal agencies and other partners. Before joining LASP, Pam worked for three decades at NASA, including five years as the director of the Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) within the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters. She previously served as the program manager for three ESTO programs and as the head of the Laser Remote Sensing Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She has multiple degrees in electrical engineering, including a doctorate from Rice University, and has fostered a community of women scientists and engineers through workshops and mentoring throughout her career.
Andrew May
Director of Finance and Contracts
Andrew oversees LASP’s finance and contracts teams, which leverage financial tools and practices to support researchers and empower informed fiscal decision-making and management. Andrew brings to this position more than 10 years of experience in financial planning and analysis, research financial management, and financial leadership. His background spans multiple industries, including aerospace, healthcare, telecommunications, hospitality, and agriculture. This breadth of experience equips him with a unique perspective on financial management across various sectors. Andrew fosters a collaborative environment that enhances operational efficiency, ensures compliance, and drives strategic initiatives.
Dr. Lynda Duran
Director of Engagement, Assessment, and Innovation
Lynda brings over 10 years of experience designing, implementing, and assessing programs and training. She is dedicated to engaging in institutional and systemic change that serves the diverse communities of LASP and CU Boulder. Lynda’s research applies equity-focused mixed methods and critical quantitative strategies to explore ways to empower students, faculty, researchers, and staff to recognize the cultural capital and knowledge that they bring with them as they navigate the higher education landscape.