Ellen Renee Stofan (born February 24, 1961) is Under Secretary for Science and Research at The Smithsonian and was previously the Director of the National Air and Space Museum.

Previously, she was vice president of Proxemy Research in Laytonsville, Maryland, and as an honorary professor in the Earth sciences department at the University College London.

[2][3] Her doctoral thesis, accepted in 1989, was titled "Geology of coronae and domal structures on Venus and models of their origin.

"[4] Stofan's research has focused on the geology of Venus, Mars, Saturn's moon Titan, and Earth.

Stofan has written and published numerous professional papers, books and book chapters, and has chaired committees including the National Academy's Inner Planets Panel for the 2009-2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey and the Venus Exploration Analysis Group.