Julian Earls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julian Manly Earls
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| Born | |
| Alma mater | Norfolk State University University of Michigan Harvard University |
| Awards | NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | NASA |
| Thesis | Radiation protection guides for long range space missions; Radiological health aspects of fabricating operations with thoriated metals. (1975) |
Julian Manly Earls (born November 22, 1942) is an American physicist who worked for NASA for over forty years. NASA is the United States space agency. He received two NASA Exceptional Achievement Medals. These awards are given for outstanding work. He was also honored by Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush.
Early Life and Education
Julian Earls was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. His mother was a seamstress, and his father worked on the railroads. His parents and first grade teacher encouraged him to study hard.
He went to Crestwood High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. While there, he joined math and science fairs. He was the first person in his family to go to college.
Earls studied physics at Norfolk State University. He earned his first degree in 1964. He then went to the University of Rochester School of Medicine. He completed his master's degree in 1965.
After college, he worked at the Brookhaven National Laboratory for a summer. He then became a medical physicist at the Lewis Research Center. This center helped him earn his doctoral degree. He studied radiation physics at the University of Michigan.
He became the head of Health Physics and Licensing. He also served as the Radiological Safety Officer. In 1983, Earls started a special fund. It was called the Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology. This fund helps black students at historically black colleges and universities with money for their studies.
Career at NASA
After getting his doctorate, Julian Earls returned to NASA. He worked in Health Physics. At the same time, he studied business at Harvard University.
In 1983, he became the Chief of the Health, Safety, and Security Division. He was promoted in 1988 to Director of the Office of Health and Services.
In 2003, he became the Director of the Glenn Research Center. In this role, he was in charge of new technologies and research. He managed a budget of over a billion dollars. He also led a team of 4,500 people. He was part of the team that launched the Apollo 13 lunar program.
During his time at NASA, Julian Earls achieved many "firsts." He was the first African-American man to be a section head, office chief, division chief, and deputy director. He also wrote the first two NASA guides on health physics and environmental resources. He taught mathematics, physics, and radiation biology at Capital University.
In 2005, Julian Earls retired from NASA after forty years. After retiring, he joined Cleveland State University. He also became a trustee at Alabama A&M University in 2005. He serves on the Board of Directors for ANSER.
Awards and Special Honors
Julian Earls has received many awards and honors:
- 1988: Inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.
- 1999: Honored by President Bill Clinton for his work in the Senior Executive Service.
- 2004: Honored again by President George W. Bush for his work in the Senior Executive Service.
- 2005: Received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal.
- 2007: Received an honorary degree from Howard University.
- 2015: Received an honorary doctorate from Cleveland State University.
- 2017: Received the Laurel Wreath from Kappa Alpha Psi.
He holds several other honorary degrees. These include a science doctorate from the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology. He also has a degree in pedagogy from Nova Southeastern University. An honorary degree in humane letters is from North Carolina A&T State University. The Dr. Julian M. Earls College Scholarship is given each year by the National Technical Association.
Personal Life
Julian Earls is married to Zenobia. She is a public school teacher in Cleveland. They have two sons. Their son Julian Earls, Jr. is a neurologist. Their other son, Gregory Earls, is a filmmaker. Julian Earls also has two granddaughters.
Julian Earls is an athlete. He has completed 27 marathons. In 2002, he was a torch bearer for the Salt Lake City Olympic Games.
