Cwik, Thomas

2012 Distinguished Alumni Award

For extensive technical contributions in computational electromagnetics, parallel computing, remote sensing and development of electromagnetic and optical sensors, for his leadership of nationally-important programs at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and for his service to his profession.

Tom Cwik leads the Space Technology Program at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is key to strategic planning and the execution of technology research and development resulting in validated systems that enable new NASA space missions.

Tom joined JPL in 1988 working in a range of advanced engineering and project activities. Previous positions included leading the JPL Earth Science Instruments & Technology Office. There, he focused on identifying strategic areas of research and development, proactively developing and sustaining technology and instrument-development work for Earth-based remote sensing. He led proposal development of the Earth observing mission Aquarius/SAC-D. Tom has supervised the High Performance Computing Group at JPL and has worked in engineering positions across a range of tasks and projects.

Tom is an IEEE Fellow, a Principal Member at JPL, and an affiliate professor at the University of Washington, Department of Electrical Engineering, in Seattle. He has written eight book chapters and over 30 refereed journal papers. He holds one U.S. patent and one is under application.