ORLANDO, June 17, 2011 — University of Central Florida Professor and international asteroid expert Humberto Campins spent part of June working with more than 100 fellow astrophysicists preparing for a European mission aimed at collecting an asteroid sample and returning it to earth. The Marco Polo-R Mission is a project of the European Space Agency …
Humberto Campins, PhD
“Asteroids represent both hazards and resources to Earth. Devastating asteroid impacts have happened and will happen again if we do nothing. On the other hand, mining asteroids will likely start a self-sustaining space economy within the next decade or so.” –
Professor Humberto Campins
Available for Speaking Engagements
Professor Humberto Campins is an engaging and dynamic speaker. He has a rare ability to deliver complicated information with humor and levity in a way everyone can understand and relate to. His knack to convey science and its relevance to everyday life to the general public, as well as his in-depth knowledge and respect within the scientific community, make him a sought-after speaker at the international level.
To arrange for a speaking engagement click on contact.
Short Bio
Dr. Humberto Campins is an international expert on asteroids, especially those that can threaten Earth with an impact. He is Pegasus Professor of Physics and Astronomy and head of the Planetary Science group at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He was a 2021-2022 Jefferson Science Fellow and served as science advisor at the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. He is a member of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission, which is on its way back to Earth and arriving in 2023. He also works on European Space Agency projects, including the Gaia and Hera missions.
He uses observatories around the world, including in Arizona, Chile, France, Hawaii, Spain and Vatican City. He discovered water ice and organic molecules on asteroid 24 Themis. This was published in the journal Nature, adding weight to the idea that some of Earth’s water came from asteroids. He has published more than 150 articles in the most prestigious international scientific journals. He directed NASA’s Florida Space Grant Consortium for 3 years. He has earned multiple teaching and research awards, including two NASA awards, a Fulbright Senior Research Award to carry out research in Spain, and in 2010 a Don Quijote Award for professional of the year in Orlando. Asteroid “3327 Campins” was named after him by the International Astronomical Union.
He received his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in 1982, and as a graduate student he served as a representative to the Committee for Peaceful Uses of Outer Space of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Videos
One of Dr. Campins’ TV interviews
Recent Speaking Engagements
- July/August 2022. US State Department Speakers Bureau, US Embassy in Portugal. Four days of lectures in several cities, including Lisbon and Porto.
- June 29, 2022. Bogota, Colombia. How Likely is an Asteroid to Ruin Your Day?
- June 28, 2022. US Department of State, International Asteroid Day Event.
- June 15, 2022. National Academies of Sciences, Jefferson Science Fellow Distinguished Lecture: International Collaboration for Planetary Defense
- May 24, 2022. US Embassy in Romania. How Likely is an Asteroid to Ruin Your Day?
- May 4, 2022. Town & Gown Council, University of Central Florida. How Likely is an Asteroid to Ruin Your Day?
- April 13, 2022. Space Month at the US Embassy in Russia. How Likely is an Asteroid to Ruin Your Day?
- January 28, 2022. US State Department, Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau. How Likely is an Asteroid to Ruin Your Day?
Feedback from the US Embassy in Portugal, August 2022
“Dear Humberto,
The feedback I received from the Embassy was truly outstanding. They said you fulfilled all of their expectations with flying colors, and that you have a natural ability to connect with different audience types both highly technical as well as just curious or “casual”. They appreciated that you brought a sense of humor to what could be dry research topics and were flexible and adaptable to the different venues, technology, audiences and spaces.”
Press Releases
Renowned Expert Leads Workshop About Water on Asteroids in Paris
ORLANDO, Sept. 22, 2011 – Humberto Campins, an international expert on asteroids, comets and meteorites, is hosting a workshop about water on asteroids and meteorites in Paris on Sept. 29-30. The Paris Observatory asked Campins to hold the workshop because he is recognized as an expert in this area. Campins received international attention in 2010 …
Renowned Expert Leads Workshop About Water on Asteroids in Paris Leer más »
Whizzing Asteroid Turns Rocket Scientists’ Heads
ORLANDO, Oct. 31, 2012 — International leaders in asteroid and comet research are gathering at the University of Central Florida in Orlando Friday, Feb. 15, for a special “viewing party” that will climax with asteroid 2012 DA14 zipping between Earth and orbiting communication satellites (within 14,000 miles of Earth). The asteroid, the size of half …
International Expert Explains Asteroids’ ‘Real’ Threat to Earth
ORLANDO, Nov. 14, 2012 — Join space expert Dr. Humberto Campins at the Orlando Science Center on Saturday, Dec. 1 for a hands-on program that delivers the real story when it comes to asteroids that pass near the earth Earth. Campins, a physics professor at the University of Central Florida, will also share exciting details …
International Expert Explains Asteroids’ ‘Real’ Threat to Earth Leer más »
UCF Professor to Speak at International Asteroid Meeting in Paris
ORLANDO, Dec. 11, 2012 — University of Central Florida astrophysicist Humberto Campins in one of a handful of Americans invited to speak at an international space meeting aimed at showing Europeans why space missions to bring back samples from asteroids are vital to our future. The two-day meeting in Paris runs Dec. 17-18 at the …
UCF Professor to Speak at International Asteroid Meeting in Paris Leer más »
UCF Plans Asteroid Encounter Feb. 15
ORLANDO, Jan. 29, 2013 — International leaders in asteroid and comet research will converge at the University of Central Florida for a very special asteroid viewing party from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15. UCF Professor Humberto Campins, who first discovered ice water and organic molecules on an asteroid, has organized the event …
Asteroid Encounter at UCF Set for Feb. 15
ORLANDO, Feb. 1, 2013 – An asteroid, the size of half a city block, will buzz Earth’s surface on Feb. 15, squeezing by communication satellites orbiting the planet. The University of Central Florida will host a free 1 p.m. event for the public to watch this event via feeds from telescopes in Spain, where it …
Resources
Dr. Campins’ research focuses on asteroids and comets. He also has worked on several space agency projects including NASA’s OSIRIS-REx and the European Space Agency’s Marco Polo-R missions.
What My Clients Says
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Lorem fistrum por la gloria de mi madre esse jarl aliqua llevame al sircoo. De la pradera ullamco qué dise usteer está la cosa muy malar.
John Doe
Lorem fistrum por la gloria de mi madre esse jarl aliqua llevame al sircoo. De la pradera ullamco qué dise usteer está la cosa muy malar.
Jenna Smith
Lorem fistrum por la gloria de mi madre esse jarl aliqua llevame al sircoo. De la pradera ullamco qué dise usteer está la cosa muy malar.
Samuel Stevens
Stay In Touch
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.