The JPLUS program is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Robert B. Leighton, long-time physicist and astronomer at Caltech who began his undergraduate career at Los Angeles City College. He lived close to LACC with his mother, who worked as a hotel chambermaid.

Widely known for his innovative design of scientific instruments such as those used at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, Leighton was active in many areas of physics.

Leighton designed and built equipment for imaging the planets, and the resulting images were considered the best available until the era of space exploration began in the 1960's. In the mid-60's, Leighton was the team leader at JPL for the imaging-science investigations on the Mariner 4, 6, and 7 missions to Mars. As team leader and an experienced physicist, he played a key role in forming and guiding the development of JPL's first digital television for use in deep space. Well known as an exceptional teacher of undergraduate students, Dr. Leighton edited the famous Feynman Lectures in Physics. He also served as chair of Caltech's famed Division of physics, Mathematics and Astronomy from 1970 to 1975.