M. Frank Rose, the Dickenson County native who heads the Science Directorate of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., will discuss the "grand challenges" that have faced scientists and astronomers in their quest to explore the universe during a presentation at The University of Virginia's College at Wise.

"Throughout history, humans have looked to the heavens and pondered its nature and our role in it," says Rose, who will discuss "Grand Challenges: What is out there and are we alone" during his March 2 lecture at UVa-Wise. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, begins at 1 p.m. in the Science Lecture Hall.

Rose graduated from Clintwood High School in 1957 and earned a two-year degree in 1959 from what was then Clinch Valley College. He completed his bachelor's degree in physics at the University of Virginia and earned master's and doctoral degrees in solid state science from Pennsylvania State University.

After completing his graduate degrees, Rose joined the Naval Surface Warfare Center as a physicist. Rose was a senior research scientist with the NSWC when he made a career shift and became a college professor. In 1985, Rose joined Auburn University as a professor of electrical engineering and director of the Space Power Institute. Rose joined the Marshall Space Flight Center as deputy director of the Science Laboratory in 1998. He was named director of Marshall Space Flight Center's Science Directorate in 1999. The Science Directorate has responsibility for management and in-house research in scientific disciplines such as microgravity materials science, astrophysics, earth sciences, advanced optics, astrobiology, and biotechnology.

Rose has participated in numerous international conferences and study committees and directed a dozen specialized workshops. He is the author or co-author of more than 150 technical papers and has edited, co-edited or contributed to five books. For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 540-328-0130.