<span style="color: #222222;">Indian-American Bhavya Lal was appointed by NASA as the acting chief of staff of the US space agency yesterday. In a statement, NASA said Lal brings extensive experience in engineering and space technology, serving as a member of the research staff at the Institute for Defence Analyses Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI) from 2005 to 2020.<br />'' <br />'' There, she led analysis of space technology, strategy, and policy for the White House office of science and technology policy and national space council, as well as federal space-oriented organisations, including NASA, the department of defence, and the intelligence community. For her many contributions to the space sector, she was nominated and selected to be a corresponding member of the International Academy of Astronautics, the statement said.</span>