Dr Asrar earned graduate degrees in Civil Engineering and Environmental Physics from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
Dr Asrar combined his interest and expertise in research with his keen desire to educate the next generation of Earth Scientists. He worked for 9 years in academia at graduate and post-graduate levels. He established the NASA Earth System Science Fellowship Program — a Program which has trained more than 500 young scientists to date.
He then joined NASA, becoming the Science Deputy Associate Administrator. Prior to this reorganization, he served as Associate Administrator for the Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) since February 1998. He was a key player in the Earth Science programme from its beginnings.
Dr Asrar is an active member of several professional societies, including the American Geophysical Union, the American Meteorological Society, and the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society. He was recently elected a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)and American Meteorological Society.
Dr Asrar has received numerous awards and honors, including the NASA Exceptional Performance Award (1997), the NASA Distinguished Service Medal (1999), and NASA Medal for Outstanding Leadership (2000).