Alexis C. Livanos

Committed to ensuring that today's state-of-the-art technologies are employed to better understand and manage our changing planet, Alexis C. Livanos will bring a strong Earth focus with him upon joining The Space Institute's Board of Directors.

As corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector, Alexis is responsible for the strategic direction and operations of the sector, which develops a broad range of systems at the leading edge of space, defense, and electronics technology. He also serves on the company's corporate policy council.

The Space Technology sector builds space systems, satellites, and sensors that explore the universe and monitor Earth's oceans, landmass, and atmosphere. The company built NASA's Aqua and Aura Earth Observing Satellites, which are currently in orbit and providing data to scientists and researchers, and is building the next generation low-Earth orbiting environmental satellite system for NOAA. His efforts promote international awareness of the importance of obtaining accurate, comprehensive, and timely environmental information that will enable governments and businesses worldwide to adapt to today's critical environmental challenges.

During his career, Alexis has participated in the successful launch of 45 satellites and has more than 30 years experience in research and applications in the fields of microelectronics, solid-state physics, electro-optics, and signal processing. He has held positions at Boeing Satellite Systems, TRW Electronic Systems and Technology Division, and Space Systems/Loral. 

Alexis earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, a master's degree in engineering science, and a Ph.D. in engineering science and physics from the California Institute of Technology. He also taught applied physics at Caltech for two years as a post-doctorate fellow and is chairman of the Science Advisory Council for the Graduate Aeronautical Laboratory of Caltech (GALCIT), a member of the Visiting Committee for Caltech's Division of Engineering and Applied Science, and a member of the UCLA Science Board of Visitors. 

His most recent awards include induction into the National Academy of Engineering, receipt of the Distinguished Alumni Award and the GALCIT International von Karman Wings Award at Caltech, and the 2008 UCLA Anderson IS Associates Executive Leadership Award.