UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

Hispanic Heritage Month highlight: Dr. Ellen Ochoa

Dr.+Ellen+Ochoa+was+the+first+Hispanic+woman+to+go+to+space.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman to go to space.

Aloe Suarez, Features Reporter

When Apollo 11 first landed on the moon in 1969, the entire U.S. nation witnessed history, including an eleven-year-old girl who grew up to be the first Hispanic woman to fly into space: Dr. Ellen Ochoa.

Born and raised in California, Ochoa grew up with a curious mind for science and endless space possibilities. 

Her first bachelor’s degree in physics came from San Diego State University. Later, she pursued a master’s and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University.

Ochoa’s contributions to space science, including co-inventing three patents for optical inspection technology, piqued NASA’s interest in 1990. The next year NASA signed her on as an astronaut for the STS-56 mission aboard the Discovery.

That was only the beginning of her space journey— Ochoa completed three additional space missions and has spent about a thousand hours in the cosmos. 

She has published numerous technical papers and has won awards, such as NASA’s highest Distinguished Service Medal, for her outstanding research at Sandia National Laboratories and NASA Ames Research Center.

After serving as Deputy Center Director and Director of Flight Crew Operations, NASA promoted Ochoa to Director of the Johnson Space Center. 

Ochoa retired in 2018 and currently lives in Texas with her husband. However, she remains active as a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the National Academy of Inventors, and the Optical Society of America.

___

For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email protected].

 

About the Contributor
Navigate Left
  • Career fairs can help UNF students and alumni prepare to enter the workforce and establish valuable connections with employers. (Photo courtesy of Career Services)

    Events

    UNF’s career fairs are a ‘no-brainer opportunity’

  • Several companies set up booths run by female representatives. (Photo courtesy of PS27)

    Events

    UNF and PS27 host Female Founders Forum for aspiring female entrepreneurs

  • The Green, located at the center of UNFs campus, is a popular spot for students trying to relax between classes. A smaller school than UF or FSU, many students can find quiet spots across campus to study, read and hang out.

    Features

    Some UNF students having trouble with academic advisors

  • Patrick Mahomes keeps his super bowl MVP mentality as he had another strong performance in the first game of the season. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

    Features

    Watch party on a budget: The sports editor’s guide to Super Bowl Sunday

  • (Rachel Bacchus)

    Events

    UNF hosting several events for Homecoming 2024

  • A female African lion at the Jacksonville Zoo. Lions can be found on the main path of the Africa loop. (Rachel Bacchus)

    Features

    A guide to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

  • A dog with the Campus Canines program.

    Features

    Stressed? You may want to visit the Campus Canines

  • Author Gina Caserta (right) and her debut memoir In Fifty Pages or More (left). (Photos courtesy of Gina Caserta)

    Community

    How a UNF graduate student is continuing the college sexual assault prevention conversation

  • Protesters chant as a line of approximately 50-75 police cars leave the Adam W. Herbert University Center Tuesday night.

    Events

    Chants, police and metal detectors: Michael Oren’s visit to UNF

  • Text reads INTERFAITH on top of four ink splotches in UNFs colors of dark blue, light blue and gray. Two hands together in prayer is on a white circle on top of the ink and beneath the text

    Community

    Religious students feel ignored by Student Government after Interfaith Space removal

Navigate Right

Comments (0)

Spinnaker intends for this area to be used to foster healthy, thought-provoking discussion. Comments are expected to adhere to our standards and to be respectful and constructive. As such, we do not permit the use of profanity, foul language, personal attacks, slurs, defamation, or the use of language that might be interpreted as libelous. Comments are reviewed and will be removed if they do not adhere to these standards. Spinnaker does not allow anonymous comments, and Spinnaker requires a valid email address. The email address will not be displayed but will be used to confirm your comments.
All UNF Spinnaker Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *