Last week, Hispanic Engineer online began a series on the Top Hispanics list featured in the 2020 spring edition of Hispanic Engineer magazine. This week, we continue looking at some of the most influential people in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) one post a time.
Dr. Ellen Ochoa retired as the 11th director of the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in 2018. She became director of the human space flight center in 2012. Dr. Ochoa was the first Hispanic director and second female director to lead JSC. She has been recognized with NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award for senior executives in the federal government.
After leaving federal service, Ochoa became vice chair of the National Science Board, which runs the National Science Foundation. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), serves on several boards, and chairs the Nomination Evaluation Committee for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
She became the first Hispanic woman to go to space when she served on the STS-56 mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1993. As the first Hispanic female astronaut, Dr. Ochoa has given more than 300 presentations focusing on the importance of STEM education.
Click here to read more about the Top Hispanics of the Decade in Hispanic Engineer magazine.
Top Hispanics of the Decade | Grace D. Lieblein
Top Hispanics of the Decade | Anthony “Tony” R. Jimenez
Top Hispanics of the Decade | Dr. Antonio R. Flores
Top Hispanics of the Decade | Marcelo Claure
Top Hispanics of the Decade | Dr. Dan E. Arvizu
Top Hispanics of the Decade | Joseph M. Acaba
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