AFOSR welcomes new director, Dr. Thomas F. Christian

  • Published
  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
The Air Force Research Laboratory announced the appointment of a new director at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in Arlington, Va.  Dr. Thomas F. Christian will join AFOSR as the 24th director of the agency, which boasts a 63-year history of continuously funding breakthrough basic research for the long-term benefit of the United States Air Force.

"Dr. Christian's background makes him a perfect fit for AFOSR," wrote AFRL commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Masiello in an e-mail introduction to the AFRL workforce late Thursday afternoon.

As a member of the Senior Executive Service, Dr. Christian currently serves as the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology and Engineering in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition). In this role he is responsible for assisting in development and formulation of Air Force science, technology and engineering strategy as well as policy spanning a variety of disciplines and involving more than 14,000 military and civilian scientists and engineers.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Christian to AFOSR and look forward to continued success under his leadership," said current AFOSR Acting Director, Colonel Andrew G. Szmerekovsky, who will return to his role as AFOSR Deputy Director and Detachment 14 Commander when Dr. Christian arrives in mid-November.

Located in Arlington, Va., AFOSR is one of nine technology directorates within Air Force Research Laboratory.  AFOSR manages the Air Force's basic research program. Its mission is to discover, shape and champion basic science that profoundly impacts the future Air Force.