David Morrison is the Senior Scientist at the NASA Astrobiology Institute, where he participates in a variety of research programs in astrobiology -- the study of the living universe. Dr. Morrison received his Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University, and until he joined NASA he was Professor of Astronomy at the University of Hawaii. Internationally known for his research on the solar system, Dr. Morrison is the author of more than 135 technical papers and has published a dozen books.
Among his honors is a NASA Outstanding Leadership medal for his contributions to dealing with the hazard of asteroid and comet impacts. He is currently President of the International Astronomical Union working group on near-earth asteroids, and asteroid 2410 Morrison is named in his honor.