Lawrence Friedl serves as the Director of the Applied Sciences Program within the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters. He has been with NASA since 2002, and he has served as the Program Manager for several applications themes. Currently, he serves as a Co-Chair of the interagency U.S. Group on Earth Observations, he co-leads a Group on Earth Observations initiative on uses of Earth observations to support the Sustainable Development Goals, and he serves on the National Space Club’s Award Committee for Innovative Uses of Earth Observation Satellite Data.

Previously, Lawrence worked at US EPA, focusing on applications of geospatial data and technology. He served as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller in NASA’s Mission Control Center, including several Earth science missions.

Lawrence received a Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and he received a Bachelors degree in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University.