France A. Córdova is an astrophysicist and the 14th director of the $7-billion independent federal agency, the National Science Foundation (NSF). Previously, Córdova served as NASA's chief scientist – she was the youngest person and the first woman to hold this position.
Córdova's scientific contributions have been in the areas of observational and experimental astrophysics, multi-spectral research on x-ray and gamma ray sources and space-borne instrumentation. She has published more than 150 scientific papers. She is a recipient of NASA's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal, and was recognized as a Kilby Laureate. The Kilby International Awards recognize extraordinary individuals who have made "significant contributions to society …show more content…
She attended high school in La Puente, Calif., east of Los Angeles. She then entered Stanford University, where she graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and, among other activities, conducted anthropology field work in a Zapotec Indian pueblo in Oaxaca, Mexico.
In 1997, She was named one of Hispanic Business magazine's “100 Most Influential Hispanics“ and in 2002 was named one of its “80 Elite Hispanic Women.“ Running NSF is as much about politics as about science: Córdova spends long hours on Capitol Hill making her case to lawmakers about the importance of government-funded research.
When mentoring a woman Córdova says, “Just don’t overthink these choices. Some of it has to be instinctual. If you’re faced with two good choices, pick one. Go with your gut. If you find you don’t like it, there are other choices to be made.”
Cordova stressed the need get the word out more that things we do every day, from iPads and cellphones to communications and national security to the prosperity of life — the vehicles we drive and the food we eat. They all have an underlying contribution from basic research. So we need to think carefully and deeply about how to get that story out more to
Córdova's scientific contributions have been in the areas of observational and experimental astrophysics, multi-spectral research on x-ray and gamma ray sources and space-borne instrumentation. She has published more than 150 scientific papers. She is a recipient of NASA's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal, and was recognized as a Kilby Laureate. The Kilby International Awards recognize extraordinary individuals who have made "significant contributions to society …show more content…
She attended high school in La Puente, Calif., east of Los Angeles. She then entered Stanford University, where she graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and, among other activities, conducted anthropology field work in a Zapotec Indian pueblo in Oaxaca, Mexico.
In 1997, She was named one of Hispanic Business magazine's “100 Most Influential Hispanics“ and in 2002 was named one of its “80 Elite Hispanic Women.“ Running NSF is as much about politics as about science: Córdova spends long hours on Capitol Hill making her case to lawmakers about the importance of government-funded research.
When mentoring a woman Córdova says, “Just don’t overthink these choices. Some of it has to be instinctual. If you’re faced with two good choices, pick one. Go with your gut. If you find you don’t like it, there are other choices to be made.”
Cordova stressed the need get the word out more that things we do every day, from iPads and cellphones to communications and national security to the prosperity of life — the vehicles we drive and the food we eat. They all have an underlying contribution from basic research. So we need to think carefully and deeply about how to get that story out more to