NASA Deputy Administrator Frederick Gregory today announced the appointment of Dr. Clifford Wayne Houston as Deputy Associate Administrator for Education Programs. Houston currently serves as a tenured professor, holding the Herman Barnett Distinguished Professorship in Microbiology & Immunology, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. He also serves as Associate Vice President for Educational Outreach, University of Texas Medical Branch.

"Dr. Houston is highly qualified and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to NASA. His proven ability to design interesting, meaningful programs and motivate young people from diverse backgrounds will enhance our efforts to encourage students to pursue careers in science, mathematics and engineering," Gregory said.

Houston has sponsored summer science camps for students, and he also sponsors summer research programs for high school and graduate students. He has sponsored science education workshops for teachers and conducted inquiry-based biotechnology workshops for secondary science teachers. His efforts included extensive research and development of student outreach programs.

NASA Associate Administrator for the Office of Education, Dr. Adena Williams Loston, said, "Clifford is a well-known educator and motivator of young people. His educational background and extensive research experience is well suited for advancing NASA's vision of inspiring the next generation of explorers."

Houston received his Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology & Chemistry, Oklahoma State University; Master of Science degree in Biology, Oklahoma State University; Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. He is a graduate of the Management Development Program at Harvard University.

For more information about NASA education programs: http://www.education.nasa.gov

For more information about NASA's Educator Astronaut Program: http://www.edspace.nasa.gov