10 Facts About Peter Wisoff

Peter Jeffrey Kelsay Wisoff was born on August 16,1958 and is an American physicist and former NASA astronaut.

Peter Wisoff graduated from Norfolk Academy, Norfolk, Virginia, in 1976, received a bachelor of science degree in physics from University of Virginia in 1980, a master of science degree and a doctorate in applied physics from Stanford University in 1982 and 1986 respectively.

Peter Wisoff later joined the faculty of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Rice University.

Peter Wisoff's research focused on the development of new vacuum ultraviolet and high intensity laser sources.

Peter Wisoff collaborated with researchers from regional Texas Medical Centers on the applications of lasers to the reconstruction of damaged nerves and has collaborated with researchers at Rice University on new techniques for growing and evaluating semiconductor materials using lasers.

Peter Wisoff has contributed numerous papers at technical conferences and in journals in the areas of lasers and laser applications.

On October 1,2013, Peter Wisoff was named the interim principal associate director for the NIF and Photon Sciences directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in place of the outgoing Ed Moses.

Peter Wisoff is qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist.

Peter Wisoff tested the SAFER jet backpack with fellow astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, flying up to 50 feet from the spacecraft.

Peter Wisoff totaled 13 hours and 16 minutes of EVA time in two spacewalks.