UAF names space scientist Geophysical Institute director

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has selected Robert “Bob” McCoy as the Geophysical Institute’s new director. McCoy will be the seventh scientist to the hold the post since the institute was established in Fairbanks in 1946.

McCoy has more than 15 years of research experience as a space scientist at the Naval Research Laboratory and 15 years of administrative experience at the Office of Naval Research in Arlington, Va., where he is the team leader for space science and technology. Currently, he also serves as the technical director for the Operationally Responsive Space Office in Albuquerque, N.M.

“McCoy’s broad scientific background, combined with his extensive program management experience, makes him the ideal choice to lead the strategic growth of the Geophysical Institute,” said Mark Myers, UAF vice chancellor for research.

Throughout his career, McCoy has overseen multimillion-dollar operating budgets and managed interdisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, contractors and students. McCoy is a strong advocate for education and K-12 outreach. He has received a variety of awards, including NRL 75th Anniversary Innovator Award in 1998, the Alan Berman Publication Award in 1994 and 2001, the NRL Group Achievement Award in 1983, the NASA Group Achievement Award in 2004 and the Rotary International Stellar Award in 2010.

McCoy earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Cornell University, a master’s degree in physics from Texas A&M University and a doctorate in astrogeophysics at the University of Colorado in 1981. McCoy will begin his new $160,000-a-year position in October.

“I’ve always admired the Geophysical Institute and it seems to be in the right place at the right time. It’s very exciting to see all of the research areas becoming hot topics right now,” McCoy said from New Mexico. “I see a lot of opportunities for the GI to excel even more.”

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