NIA performs research in a broad range of disciplines including space exploration, systems engineering, nanoscale materials science, flight systems, aerodynamics, air traffic management, aviation safety, planetary and space science, and global climate change.
NIA is headed by Dr. Douglas O. Stanley, who was named interim to the post of president and executive director in July 2012.
[2] NIA conducts a broad range of scientific and engineering research sponsored by NASA, other government agencies and the aerospace industry.
This work is performed by resident scientists and engineers, faculty, students and consultants in principal areas of investigation to include space exploration, systems engineering, materials science, flight systems, aerodynamics, air traffic management, aviation safety, planetary and space science, and global climate change.
Through NIA's University Research Program, faculty and students at NIA member universities collaborate with NASA research leaders in fundamental investigations in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering; materials science; applied mathematics, meteorology and other related fields.