Dr. Farouk El-Baz is Director, Center for Remote Sensing, Boston University. He participated in NASA’s Apollo program (1967-72) as secretary of lunar landing site selection, and chairman of astronaut training in visual observations and photography.
In 1973-82 he established and directed the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. In 1862 he became Vice President for Science and Technology at Itek Optical Systems before joining Boston University in 1986.
He pioneered the applications of space photography, particularly to groundwater exploration in desert regions. He received numerous honors, including NASA’s Apollo Achievement Award, the Nevada Medal, and the Egyptian Order of Merit - First Class. He is chairman of the U.S National Committee on Geological Sciences.