Doris Daou
Doris Daou
Associate Director
NASA Lunar Science Institute
NASA Ames Research Center M/S: 17-1
Moffett Field, CA. 94035
Office: 650.604.2021
Doris received her M.Sc. in Astronomy in 1989 from the University of Montreal in Canada. She has significant teaching experience at the undergraduate level, having lectured both at the University of Montreal and Notre Dame University in Lebanon where she taught astronomy, physics, and mathematics courses.
After her schooling she spent nine years at the Space Telescope Science Institute as a member of different instrument teams of the Hubble Space Telescope, including the HRS, WFPC, and the NICMOS instruments. During this time she also did research in astronometry, AGNs, and Novae.
In 1999 Doris moved to the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center at Caltech in Pasadena and became the deputy manager of the “Cool Cosmos” Education and Public Outreach (EPO) team. Doris led the team in designing and creating educational products and resources that would engage students as well as the public to learn more infrared astronomy and space science. Doris is a co-author of the internationally praised tactile astronomy book titled: Touch the Invisible Sky” which enabled the visually impaired to view the Multiwavelength Universe. She was also the creator, producer and lead writer for the multi-award-winning “Ask an Astronomer” video series.
In 2006 Doris moved to NASA Headquarters to work as a Program Officer for EPO in the Science Mission Directorate (SMD). She worked on strategic planning and implementation of policy for the organization, management, oversight, and evaluation of an integrated SMD-EPO Program. She also reviewed and analyzed EPO plans and programs for various space missions in development.
In 2008 Doris became the Director of Communication and EPO for the NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI).
In the past 20 years of working with NASA missions Doris has been active in various education committees. These include the council to evaluate the American Astronomical Society education program in 2009; the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Program Committee for the past three of its annual conference, the EPO Advisory Group for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, the International Year of Astronomy US and IAU program Committee, and the Woman in Astronomy 2009 Conference Program Committee.
Doris has also worked with non-profit organizations such as the Maryland Center Stage Theatre, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Pasadena Playhouse in various capacities, including board membership and education and public outreach efforts.
