Thomas Pierson

Thomas Pierson (March 22, 1950 – February 20, 2014) was founder and CEO of the SETI Institute (search for extraterrestrial intelligence), a non-profit institute conducting research in Astrobiology.

Early life and education

Tom Pierson was raised and educated in the public schools of Norman, Oklahoma. ) in obtaining research funding for NASA's fledgling SETI research program (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) and through this introduction met many of the early SETI researchers. and participated in conferences about SETI. He also encouraged social science research related to SETI and participated in a series of NASA workshops on the Cultural Aspects of SETI.

Public and private funding

After cancellation of the NASA SETI program in 1993, Pierson was instrumental in helping to raise private funding to continue the SETI project. David Packard and William Hewlett of Hewlett Packard, and Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel Corporation, and Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation reached into their own pockets and entrusted their funds to Pierson to save the Targeted Search portion of NASA's SETI program and move it to the SETI Institute to become Project Phoenix (SETI). Years later, Paul Allen was the primary funder ($28M) of the Allen Telescope Array. In 2012 Franklin Antonio, co-founder and Chief Scientist of Qualcomm, donated $3.5 million for updates to more than double the sensitivity of the Allen Telescope Array.

In 2006, when NASA's Astrobiology program was facing cuts, Pierson wrote an open letter with Baruch Blumberg to rally the Astrobiology community to eventually win back the support. When lack of funding forced the Allen Telescope Array into temporary hibernation in 2011, Pierson led the effort to reopen the array. Pierson also pursued joint projects and affiliations between the institute and universities. The Allen Telescope Array was built and operated with the Radio Astronomy Lab of the University of California, Berkeley. Pierson served on the oversight board for the array. He also established formal affiliations with a number of universities and organizations, the latest with the University of Southern California.

Honors

Pierson was an elected member of the International Academy of Astronautics and has received numerous recognitions, including an individual NASA Public Service Medal, and the NASA Public Service Group Award given to the SETI Institute and all of its staff for excellence in carrying out research and education in the areas of life in the universe and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. In February 2014, Pierson received NASA's Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest award for non-agency personnel. The award recognized his"Distinguished Service to NASA and the scientific community through leadership of the SETI Institute, supporting basic research and education dealing with life in the universe."

Professional activities – leadership roles

International Advisory Board–SETI Australia Centre (1996–2002) Now known as S.E.T.I Research & Community Development Institute Board of Directors of Social Tech, Inc. (now Critical Reach ) of Burlingame, California (1995–2006) Board of Directors of the Molecular Research Institute of Palo Alto, California (1991–2002) Co-chair, SETI Committee, International Academy of Astronautics (1999–2002) Now integrated with the IAA Permanent Study Group Co-chair, SETI Permanent Study Group, International Academy of Astronautics (2002–2003) SETI Permanent Study Group, International Academy of Astronautics (2002–present) Coordinating Board of Directors, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA (1997–2001) Advisory Council, Astronomical Society of the Pacific (1991–1998) Executive Committee California State University Auxiliary Organization Association (1981–1984)