Raymond E. Arvidson

Raymond E. Arvidson is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. He is best known for his contributions to NASA missions to Mars, including as deputy director of the Mars Exploration Rovers.

Education and career Born in Brooklyn, New York, Arvidson moved with his family at the age of five to the Williamstown section of Monroe Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, after his father's death and his mother's remarriage. Arvidson attended Williamstown High School, graduating in 1965. He earned a bachelor's degree in geology from Temple University in 1969, as well as his M.S. in 1971 and Ph.D. in 1975 from Brown University under the supervision of Thomas Mutch. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school. Arvidson "has been instrumental in developing and implementing both orbital and landed missions to the planets." He has received four NASA Public Service Medals and the Whipple Award of the American Geophysical Union. He is a fellow of the Geological Society of America and the American Geophysical Union.

Minor planet 397278 is named after Arvidson.

Teaching and mentoring Arvidson has received a number of teaching and advising awards, including Advisor of the Year, Student Union Professor of the Year, and the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Member Award from Washington University, as well as the Missouri Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. He directed the Pathfinder Program in Environmental Sustainability at Washington University, which had many notable alumni.