Dr. James King Jr., assistant laboratory director for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Office of Technical Divisions, is the recipient of the 1993 Technologist of the Year award from the National Technical Association (NTA).
The NTA is the oldest technical professional organization for African-American scientists, engineers, architects, mathematicians and educators. Each year, the NTA recognizes outstanding individuals in 12 categories of technical achievement.
As chief of JPL's technical divisions, King oversees a work force of more than 3,000 scientists, engineers and technicians. The technical divisions are comprised of eight separate science and engineering divisions which are responsible for carrying out JPL's research and development activities.
A Laboratory employee since 1961, King worked in a variety of scientific and managerial roles at JPL and at NASA Headquarters before assuming his current post earlier this year.
Born in Columbus, Georgia on April 23, 1933, King earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1953 from Morehouse College. He received a master's degree in chemistry in 1955 and a doctorate in chemical physics in 1958, both from the California Institute of Technology.
King's research on the interaction of gases with solid surfaces has led to an internationally recognized theory of anesthesiology.
King is a resident of Pasadena, Calif. He received his award from the NTA on Sept. 11 in Houston, Tex.
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