Harry Teplitz Named IPAC Head of Science Staff, Roberta Paladini as Deputy

IPAC has named Drs. Harry Teplitz as its new Head of Science Staff (HoSS) and Roberta Paladini as Deputy Head, tasking the senior researchers with leading the center's scientific community and advocating for its diverse research initiatives. Teplitz transitioned into the lead role after serving as Deputy Head under Vandana Desai, who stepped down after heading the science staff since 2021. The new appointments are effective April 1, 2026.

Teplitz and Paladini have moved into key roles designed to empower IPAC’s researchers by serving as the primary points of contact for scientists navigating their career paths—offering guidance on everything from securing research funding to building out their teams with new postdocs. Furthermore, they will oversee the promotion and review processes to ensure IPAC scientists have the resources and recognition they need to thrive. They will also collaborate with the Science Engagement Lab at Caltech/IPAC to promote the visibility of IPAC's science research and scientists in the scientific community and general public.

IPAC Executive Director Tom Greene welcomed both researchers to their new roles.

“Harry and Roberta will make an outstanding HoSS team,” said Greene. “As Deputy HoSS, Harry has been guiding IPAC scientists in their careers and advocating for their advancements and promotions for the past several years. Roberta brings complementary scientific expertise in interstellar dust grains, grain growth, and the ISM. Roberta also brings an abundance of energy to help IPAC scientific staff over her five-year term.” 

Greene thanked Desai for completing her HoSS term, recognizing she “has done a great deal to keep IPAC at the forefront of science, to help scientists advance professionally, and to make IPAC a better place to work overall.”

Teplitz has served in numerous leadership roles within NASA and IPAC, currently as the Task Lead for the Euclid NASA Science Center (ENSCI) and the Ultraviolet Explorer (UVEX) Science Data Center. Previously, he was the Science Lead for the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive (IRSA) for 10 years, overseeing strategic science goals and user support tools. 

He earned his B.S. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1991 before being awarded both master’s and doctorate degrees in physics from the University of California Los Angeles in 1993 and 1997, respectively. His research focuses primarily on extragalactic astronomy, particularly galaxy evolution and reionization, and he is recognized as a Euclid Builder, a distinction that grants him the right to sign any paper produced by the Euclid consortium. 

Teplitz appreciates the important role of mentoring early-career scientists, having mentored 13 post-doctoral scholars over more than 20 years—many of whom have transitioned to permanent staff roles at IPAC, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Space Telescope Science Institute, and major universities. 

“For many years, I’ve benefited from enormous support from IPAC to pursue the research that interests me and to do it in an environment that makes it both possible and fun,” Teplitz said. “I’m always happy to help provide the same support to other scientists. In particular, moving from Deputy HoSS to HoSS, I hope I can continue the strategy that has worked recently. And, of course, I hope we can try some ideas for which we couldn’t find time in the past.”

Paladini earned her Ph.D in astronomy from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Italy in 2003 and has held several high-level technical and strategic positions supporting NASA and ESA missions, including the Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) Task Lead at the NASA Herschel Science Center and serving on the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS) and the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) Instrument Support Team at the  Spitzer Science Center.  Most recently, she is a key contributor to the currently operating SPHEREx space mission, which has, among its science goals, the study of Galactic interstellar ices, and she is a calibration scientist for NEO Surveyor. 

Paladini’s research centers on the physical properties of dust, both in the diffuse Interstellar Medium (ISM), as well as in very cold and dense environments where new stars are formed. 

She also investigates ice formation and evolution, as well as massive star formation and HII regions. 

"I feel honored to be appointed IPAC Deputy HoSS.” Paladini said. “I am committed to advocating for our scientists at every level. Science flourishes when researchers feel supported, heard, and empowered. In this new role, I am dedicated to fostering an environment where every scientist has the structural support they need to achieve their fullest potential.”

Teplitz and Paladini both recognize that IPAC is entering a new chapter of scientific advocacy and professional development, and their combined decades of experience in mission leadership and shared commitment to elevating IPAC’s standing in the scientific community ensure staff will remain at the leading edge of astronomical discovery. 

“This is a special time for science at IPAC, with many missions and archives in operations or very close to launch,” Teplitz said. “ Science is central to the IPAC mission, and I’m grateful to have the chance to help.”