James O. Arnold, PhD
NASA-Ames Center for Nanotechnology, UARC

Dr. Arnold's career with NASA spanned four decades. His contributions included research; branch, division and directorate management as well as a tour of duty at NASA Headquarters (aerothermodynamics program manager). He retired in 2002 from the position of Chief of Ames' Space Technology Division where he provided agency leadership in research and development in the areas of Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), aerothermodynamnics, arc jet testing and nanotechnology.

In the 1970's he played a key role in the establishment of computational chemistry as applied to aerothermodynamics and other fields in NASA. He initiated Ames' nanotechnology program in 1997, a field that promises to revolutionize the way the agency conducts its missions. His mentoring program enhanced career development for many who advanced to the highest ranks of leadership, management and research in NASA (Senior Executive Service (SES) and the Senior Scientist Corps).

Dr. Arnold has published extensively in the fields of aerothermodynamics, computational chemistry and recently in nanotechnology. He received his B.S. at the University of Kansas in Engineering Physics, his M.S. from Stanford University in Aeronautics and Astronautics and his Ph.D. from York University, Toronto, in Molecular Physics.

Dr. Arnold received NASA's Medal for Outstanding Leadership in 1986 and the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement in 1997. He was a recipient of the president's SES Meritorious Executive Award (top 5% SES Corps) in 1991 and a recipient of the SES Distinguished Executive Award (top 1% SES Corps) in 1998. He served as one of two NASA members on the Mars Program Independent Assessment Team (chaired by Tom Young) looking into the systemic causes of the losses of the Mars Climate Observer and the Mars Polar Lander (Mars' 98 Mission).

Dr. Arnold accepted a position with UC Santa Cruz in November 2002. His work is principally in the area of nano/bio technology research and development, and to advise Ames leadership in the entry systems areas. His vision is to provide leadership in applying nano/bio technology to new approaches for human and robotic solar system exploration. Dr. Arnold served as an investigator on the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) from February - August 2003. He was an author of Appendix F2, CAIB report (Vol IV) entitled "Follow the TPS" (Arnold, Goldstein and Rigali) which summarizes the process of determining precisely where the foam impact created a breach in the left wing leading edge that led to the tragic loss of Columbia and the STS 107 crew. He was given the 2004 NASA Public Service Medal in recognition for his service to the CAIB, a prestigious award that NASA presents to private citizens.

In 2003, Dr. Arnold accepted the responsibility as the University Affiliated Research Center's Nanotechnology Area Manager as a part of his assignment as Senior Scientist. Dr. Arnold is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, member of the International Academy of Astronautics and is a UARC Senior Research Fellow. His interests are broad and include TPS, aerocapture/entry systems, real-gas computational fluid dynamics, high enthalpy test facilities, nanotechnology and solar system exploration.