Harold Geller, DA

Research Focus

My current focus includes energy and the environment; the search for life in the universe; and the exploration of space. In 2018 I co-authored a textbook on renewable energy. From 2011 through 2015 I served as co-Investigator for the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement (VISTA). From 2012 through today I hold a contract with NASA/JPL to serve as a Solar System Ambassador for education and public outreach. In 2009 and 2010 I was awarded a total of six Telly Awards for online educational videos I co-produced. In 2008, I won the GMU Faculty Member of the Year Award. From 2006 through 2008, I served as Associate Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Previously, I served as the President of the Potomac Geophysical Society; a public outreach officer for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; a producer of educational multimedia CD-ROMs; an adjunct faculty member at Northern Virginia Community College; and, a lecturer and operator for the Einstein Planetarium at the National Air and Space Museum. I have authored/edited eight books; and, published over 100 papers in education, astrobiology, astrophysics, and biochemistry.

Current Projects

■ Arlington Public Schools: assessment of the Arlington planetarium

■ Trends and findings of public opinion data regarding space exploration

■ Virginia Earth Science Collaborative: mathematics and science partnership

■ Science Explorers: mathematics and science partnership

Select Publications

■ Geller, H. A. (2019). A solar eclipse teacher workshop, bulletin of the eastern section of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers, 69(1), 2-8.

■ Ehrlich, R. & Geller, H. A. (2018). Renewable energy, second edition, a first course. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL. ISBN 978-1-4987-3695-4.

■ Geller, H. A. (2014). Evidence of life on Mars or just another case of pareidolia? Journal of Cosmology, 17: 33-36.