Executive Leadership Team
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 empowering the next generation of space professionals. 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. Erik Richard
Senior Director for Science (Interim)
As LASP’s lead scientist, Erik oversees the institute’s portfolio of scientific research programs and projects, supporting a team of 100 scientists. Erik plays a key role in identifying emerging trends, assessing their implications, and helping ensure LASP remains competitive and positioned for scientific leadership in a rapidly evolving external environment. Erik is a recognized leader in solar irradiance instrumentation and measurements focusing on long-term solar data record development. He is the principal investigator for NASA’s Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor-2 (TSIS-2) mission, slated for launch in 2027, and serves as co-investigator and an instrument lead for NASA’s ongoing TSIS-1 mission. Erik has worked as a LASP researcher for more than 20 years and served as the Assistant Director for LASP’s Earth Atmosphere Group for four.
Scott Tucker
Senior Director for Technology
As the leader of LASP’s technology division, Scott manages more than 50 active flight and technology development projects involving 350 professional and student employees. Scott brings more than two decades of engineering and project management experience to this 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 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. He also served as LASP’s Engineering Director for two years. Scott holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University.
Gary Henry
Senior Director for Institute Operations
Gary is responsible for the management and operation of LASP, overseeing the administrative, financial, and infrastructural functions that support the institute’s technology development and end-to-end science. He concurrently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Management in CU Boulder’s Research & Innovation Office. Gary brings to LASP 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 and as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and the Director of the Office of Contracts and Grants at CU Boulder. Gary earned an MBA from CU Boulder, an M.S. in Operations from Air University, and an M.A. in Business from the University of Montana. He is a Certified Professional Contract Manager and Project Management Professional.
Senior Leadership Team
Terri Cook
Director of Communications and External Relations
Terri leads Communications and External Affairs, expanding LASP’s visibility across scientific, governmental, technological, and other audiences, including media and the public. She brings to LASP more than two decades of experience, including as a journalist; the Head of Media, Communications, and Outreach for the 20,000-member European Geosciences Union; the Outreach Director for the Extreme Ice Survey; and as a member of the environmental studies faculty at Prescott College in Arizona. She earned an M.S. in Organizational Leadership from CU Boulder, an M.S. in Earth Sciences from the University of California-Santa Cruz, and a B.A. in Archaeology from Tufts University.
Dr. Lynda Duran
Director of Engagement, Assessment, and Education
Lynda leads LASP’s student and employee engagement efforts as well as assessing the progress of the institute’s strategic plan. She brings to LASP more than a decade of experience designing, implementing, and assessing programs and training, and she is dedicated to engaging in institutional and systemic change that serves the 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. She earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Denver, a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from CU Denver, and a B.A. in Psychology from Colorado College.
Andrew May
Director of Finance and Contracts
Andrew oversees LASP’s finance and contracts teams, which leverage financial tools and best practices to support the institute’s researchers and empower informed fiscal decision-making and management. Andrew brings to this position more than ten years of experience in financial planning and analysis, research financial management, and financial leadership. His background spans aerospace, healthcare, telecommunications, hospitality, and agriculture, providing him with a broad perspective on financial management across many sectors. Andrew fosters a collaborative environment that enhances operational efficiency, ensures compliance, and drives strategic initiatives. Andrew earned a B.S. in Business Administration from CU Boulder.
Zoe Staarmann
Director of Organizational Effectiveness and Compliance
Zoe oversees all aspects of Human Resources at LASP, including compensation, employee relations, talent acquisition, and training, as well as compliance and organizational effectiveness. She brings to the institute more than a decade of experience building high-performing HR functions for university and research organizations, including as a Senior Compensation Consultant at CU Boulder. In 2019 Zoe joined LASP, where she has held several positions with increasing responsibility, including five years as the Head of Human Resources. Zoe earned an MBA from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business and a B.A in Biology from Clark University.
Dr. Pamela Millar
Director of Strategy and Partnerships (Interim)
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.
Senior Leadership Team Advisory
