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More than 200 people attended the 2025 Duncan Lecture at Auburn on April 3 to hear from Nicky Fox, associate administrator for the science mission directorate at NASA. The event was held in the Melton Student Center ballroom and welcomed students, faculty, staff and alumni from across the university.

Fox shared personal stories from her career and gave the audience a dynamic look into the science behind NASA’s most groundbreaking missions. Her lecture covered a wide range of topics, including solar physics, lunar exploration and the ongoing search for life beyond Earth.

“We explore the unknown, and we do it for humanity,” Fox said. “That’s what keeps me going – the incredible teams I get to work with and the questions we’re trying to answer.”

She discussed her involvement with the Parker Solar Probe, which is flying closer to the Sun than any spacecraft in history, and talked about the Artemis missions, which will return astronauts to the Moon. She also emphasized how NASA's science disciplines are more connected than ever, with missions that often touch multiple areas of study.

Fox highlighted other recent efforts, including research on the International Space Station using tissue chips to study the effects of space on the human body. She also pointed to NASA’s collaborations with citizen scientists, who help collect valuable data on eclipses, auroras and atmospheric changes.

Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions following the lecture and enjoyed complimentary concessions during the event.

The Duncan Lecture is hosted each year by the College of Sciences and Mathematics to bring leading scientists to campus and engage the Auburn community in meaningful discussions about science and discovery.