Thomas Pierson
Founder and CEO of the SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence).
Thomas Pierson is an influential figure in the field of astronomy and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). With a background in business and technology management, co-founded and the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute, a non-profit organization focused on scientific research, education, and public outreach. The SETI Institute was founded in 1984 and Pierson served as its CEO for several decades.
Pierson's vision and leadership were instrumental in the growth and success of the SETI Institute. He helped the institute expand its scope beyond the initial radio telescope-based searches for extraterrestrial intelligence to include a broad range of other scientific research related to life in the universe, including planetary science, astrobiology, and climate science. Pierson was deeply committed to the mission of the SETI Institute and worked tirelessly to secure funding for its research and educational programs, while also ensuring that its scientific findings were widely shared with the public.
