Women in STEM - Dr. Ellen Ochoa
This week our Women in STEM Sunday focus is on Astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa.
Ellen Ochoa, long before she became Dr. Ochoa, was inspired by watching Astronaut Sally Ride take her place as the first American Woman in Space. Following that dream, Ellen graduated with her Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, and obtained multiple optics-related patents in her desire to help computers "see" and detect defects in manufacturing.
While in school obtaining her Doctorate, Ellen worked for NASA as a researcher, and after a couple of failed applications, was accepted into the official astronaut program on her third try. This led to Dr. Ellen Ochoa becoming the first Latina Woman to ever go to space.
Ellen also has a deep passion for music, and is a classical flautist. In fact, she brought her flute with her when she went to space for the first time!
Dr. Ellen Ochoa has been recognized for amazing accomplishments many times over the years, including being awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Award, and in 2017 she was inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame. The very next year, she was inducted into the International Air and Space Hall of Fame. Incredible passion and clear determination got here there.
We can't help but wonder if there will be a whole new generation of women electrical engineers and maybe even astronauts coming out of this season's Technovation[MN] challenge... guess we will just have to wait and see!
For more information on Dr. Ellen Ochoa:
Watch this video about her US Astronaut Hall of Fame induction:
