Arvidson's research is in the area of Earth and space sciences, particularly the inner solar system planets of Mars and Venus and environmental studies of Earth.
In announcing Arvidson's appointment, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said: "Professor Arvidson is one of the world's leading scholars in his field and a great academic leader. We are fortunate to have him at Washington University and to be able to recognize his extraordinary achievements."
Arvidson and his research group manage NASA's Planetary Data System Geosciences Node, a facility available to planetary scientists worldwide containing images and planetary data from missions to Mars, the moon and Venus. A 25-year veteran of NASA missions and programs, he recently was appointed interdisciplinary scientist for NASA's Mars Surveyor Program 2001 Mission as well as deputy principal investigator with the Athena science team for the 2003 and 2005 rover missions.
Arvidson has published more than 100 articles and books dealing with remote sensing on Earth, Mars and Venus. He earned a bachelor's degree in geology from Temple University in 1969 and a master's (1971) and a doctorate (1974), both in geology, from Brown University. He joined the Washington University earth and planetary sciences department in 1974. He was made full professor in 1984 and in 1991 was appointed chair of the department. He also is a fellow of the University's McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences in Arts and Sciences, a center James S. McDonnell funded in 1975.
Funds for the McDonnell Chair came from a recent gift from the JSM Charitable Trust, according to Wrighton. Henry L. Roediger III, chair of the Department of Psychology in Arts and Sciences, was the first faculty member to be named a James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor, Arvidson is the second.
"The McDonnell family has been extremely generous to Washington University and their contributions have led to major research and program initiatives," Wrighton said. "We are truly grateful and indebted to the McDonnell family for their interest in Washington University, both past and present."
The James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professorship honors the late James S. McDonnell (1899-1980), aviation pioneer and founder of McDonnell Aircraft Corp. "Mr. Mac" served for many years as a University trustee and chair of the Board of Trustees.
His interest and support of the University are evident from the first professorship he established in the space sciences in 1964 to the establishment of the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences in 1975 and to many other valuable contributions, especially in the area of genetics and studies of the human mind and brain. His sons, John F. McDonnell and James S. McDonnell III, both trustees of the JSM Charitable Trust, have followed their father in their careers and in their service to higher education.
Edward S. Macias, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor and dean of Arts and Sciences, said of Arvidson: "As a noted leader in the field of space sciences and an innovative and devoted teacher of young people, Ray Arvidson is uniquely qualified to hold the McDonnell Distinguished University Professorship. Ray has been a superb leader of his department and has found many ways to connect people and research in his department to other departments in Arts and Sciences, including leadership roles in developing our environmental studies program and the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. His enthusiasm and drive," he concluded, "will bring many more achievements to Arts and Sciences in the future."
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