Laurie Grindle

Laurie Marshall Grindle is an American aeronautical engineer who is deputy director of the Armstrong Flight Research Center. She has been awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal and NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.

Early life and education
Grindle was born in Los Angeles. Her father earned his pilot's licence the year that she was born, and she became fascinated by mathematics, science and flight. At high school, she played basketball and was on the athletics team. At the age of 18, she earned her pilot's licence and qualified for instrument flying. She earned her undergraduate degree in aeronautical and mechanical engineering at the University of California, Davis, and a masters degree from California State University, Fresno. Her masters project was based at the Edwards Air Force Base. Grindle moved to the Armstrong Flight Research Center in 1992, where she started an internship in the Aerodynamics Branch.

Career
In 1993, Grindle was appointed full time at the Armstrong Flight Research Center. She was involved with experiments on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Systems Research Aircraft, using air pressure to study angles of attack. She worked on the F-16XL Ship 2 Supersonic Laminar Flow Control project, and was chief engineer on the hypersonic NASA X-43. Grindle was eventually made Director of Programs and Projects, looking after advocacy and formulation of flight projects. She became deputy director of the Center in 2023.

Awards and honors

 * 2005 NASA Exceptional Service Medal
 * 2013 NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal
 * 2013 Women in NASA honoree
 * 2018 NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal