Fiona Anne Harrison

Leader in astrophysical observations of X-ray and gamma-ray sources, including active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. First author on the discovery paper of jet breaks in GRB 990510, demonstrating that GRBs are beamed. Top developer of space flight instrumentation. Principal investigator of the HEFT balloon instrument that pioneered the use of focusing mirrors for hard X-ray astronomy. Principal investigator of the currently operating NuSTAR mission, responsible for leading the technology development, proposal, fabrication, testing, launch and continuing oversight of the operations of this prominent NASA mission. Under her guidance, NuSTAR made major findings including the first definitive measurement of the spin of a massive black hole. Served on the Space Studies Board and 2010 Astronomy Decadal Survey panel.