Laurie Grindle
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Laurie Grindle | |
|---|---|
 Portrait in 2019 | |
| Born | May 2, 1970 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of California, Davis (BS) California State University, Fresno (MS) |
| Occupation | Aerospace engineer |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Known for | NASA X-43 |
| Awards |  NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Armstrong Flight Research Center |
Laurie A. Marshall Grindle (born May 2, 1970) is an American aeronautical engineer. She became chief engineer of the NASA X-43 project in 2004 and was appointed deputy director of NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in 2023.
Grindle was born in Los Angeles to an African-American family. Her mother is noted senior United States district judge Consuelo Bland Marshall.[1] Her father earned his pilot's license the year that she was born, and she became fascinated by mathematics, science and flight.[2][3] At high school, she played basketball and was on the athletics team.[4] At the age of 18, she earned her pilot's license and qualified for instrument flying.[4]
She earned a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical and mechanical engineering at the University of California, Davis in 1993, and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from California State University, Fresno in 1998.[2][4] Her masters project was based at Edwards Air Force Base.[4]
Career
Grindle moved to the Armstrong Flight Research Center in 1992, where she started an internship in the Aerodynamics Branch.[5] In 1993, Grindle was appointed full time at the Armstrong Flight Research Center.[3] She was involved with experiments on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Systems Research Aircraft, using air pressure to study angles of attack. She also worked on the F-16XL Ship 2 Supersonic Laminar Flow Control project, and was chief engineer on the hypersonic NASA X-43.[4]
Grindle was appointed director of programs and projects, working on advocacy and formulation of flight projects. She became deputy director of the Center in March 2023.[6]