28 September 2016
The Astrophysics Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate seeks nominations, including self-nominations, to serve on the Executive Committee of NASA's Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group, or COPAG. Nominations are due October 7, 2016. NASA anticipates making at least two new appointments to the COPAG Executive Committee to replace current members who will be rotating off the committee. Appointments are for three years.
The NASA Cosmic Origins (COR) mission portfolio includes: Hubble, Spitzer, SOFIA, Herschel, and a variety of missions with rich archival data holdings. In about two years, the James Webb Space Telescope will be added to this portfolio. COR also has strong thematic interest in the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission, currently in development.
The COPAG is an open, interdisciplinary forum that provides a conduit for community input into NASA's COR Program, and conducts analyses in support of science objectives and their implications for planning of Program activities. All interested members of the community are invited to participate in the COPAG.
The COPAG is led by an Executive Committee (EC), whose membership is chosen to reflect the range of scientific disciplines represented in COR. The current EC Chair serves on the Astrophysics Subcommittee. Together, the COPAG EC and the Chair are responsible for soliciting, capturing, and organizing community input, overseeing COPAG analyses, reporting COPAG findings and inputs to the Astrophysics Subcommittee, and keeping the scientific community apprised of ongoing activities and opportunities within NASA's Cosmic Origins Program. Detailed information about the structure and function of the COPAG can be found on the COPAG web site.
Nominations, including self-nominations, for the COPAG Executive Committee should be submitted via email to mario.perez@nasa.gov. Nominations should include both a cover letter and a one-page curriculum vitae summarizing the nominee's relevant background and current COPAG-related interests, both bound in a single PDF file. The cover letter should provide a description of the nominee's area of expertise and qualifications for service on the COPAG Executive Committee.
Nominations will only be accepted for scientists who reside at a U.S. Institution for the period of the service. There is no restriction on citizenship. For Fall 2016, nominations from individuals at academic institutions — university, college, or non-NASA research laboratory — are strongly encouraged.