September Thinker: Ellen Ochoa
Ellen Ochoa, our September Thinker, embodies the spirit of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education. As the first Hispanic woman to travel to space and a former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, her groundbreaking contributions continue to inspire generations in the fields of engineering, space exploration, and leadership.
Early Life
Ellen Ochoa was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1958 and grew up in La Mesa near San Diego. Raised by a single mother who emphasized the value of education, Ochoa excelled in her studies from an early age. She graduated as valedictorian from Grossmont High School in 1975 and went on to study physics at San Diego State University.
Her academic journey continued at Stanford University, where she earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1981 and a doctorate in 1985. Ochoa’s research at Stanford focused on optics, which would later play a crucial role in her career.
Despite the challenges often faced by women and minorities in STEM fields, Ochoa was determined to break barriers. Her early life was defined by a strong commitment to education and a passion for science, laying the groundwork for her pioneering contributions to engineering and space exploration.
Work and Contribution
Ellen Ochoa’s career is distinguished by her significant contributions to both engineering and space exploration. After completing her doctorate, she began her career as a research engineer at Sandia National Laboratories, where she specialized in developing optical systems that improved image analysis. This work earned her several patents and established her as an expert in the field.
Ochoa later joined NASA’s Ames Research Center, where her skills in optics were further honed. In 1990, she was selected as a NASA astronaut, and in 1993, she became the first Hispanic woman to travel to space. During her mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, she conducted research on the Earth’s ozone layer. Her career continued to progress as she became the deputy director and then the director of the Johnson Space Center, where she oversaw the development of the Orion spacecraft, critical to NASA’s deep space exploration goals.
Missed our August Thinker? Learn about Terence Tao, a mathematical prodigy and one of the world's leading mathematicians.
For more information about STEAM Ahead, visit us at www.westeamahead.org.