Baccalauret degree from Lycee Michelet, Paris, France, 1968; Bachelor of science in mechanical engineering-applied physics from Columbia University, 1972; master of science and of philosophy and Ph.D. in applied physics from Yale University, 1974, 1975, 1977 respectively; since 1968 he lives in the USA; Alternate Payload Specialist for STS-51B (backup for Wang); hobbies: House remodeling, music, theatre, tennis, swimming, volleyball, soccer, hiking, photography; was Director of the Physical Sciences Research Division in the Biological and Physical Research Enterprise at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC.; since December 11, 2005 Director, NASA Management Office (NMO), at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.