Dr. France Cordova

FRANCE ANNE CORDOVA is a Professor of Physics and Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of California at Santa Barbara. She received her B.A. degree in English from Stanford University and her Ph.D. in Physics from the California Institute of Technology. Prior to coming to UCSB in Fall 1996, C—rdova was the Chief Scientist of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the youngest person and the first woman to hold that position. During her tenure at NASA, C—rdova was on leave as a Professor and Head of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at The Pennsylvania State University. Before joining Penn State, she worked for a decade at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she was successively a staff scientist in the earth and space sciences division and Deputy Group Leader of the space astronomy and astrophysics group. An expert in multiwavelength observational astronomy and space instrumentation, C—rdova has played a leading role on many scientific teams working with various satellites, most recently Europe's X-ray Multi-Mirror mission, and NASA's Constellation X mission. She is the author of more than 100 scientific papers. C—rdova is the recipient of NASA's Distinguished Service Medal, its highest honor, and an Honorary Doctorate from Loyola-Marymount University. She has served on the President's National Medal of Science Committee, and the Fundamental Science Committee of the National Science and Technology Council. She served for three years as Vice President of the American Astronomical Society. She is a current member of advisory committees for the National Academy of Sciences' Policy Division and its Office of Public Understanding of Science. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Association of Western Universities, the Board of Overseers for Fermilab, and advises the Nonproliferation and International Security Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 1996 she was featured in a Public Broadcasting System television program entitled "Breakthrough: The Changing Face of Science in America" and this Fall she will appear in the PBS documentary, "Life Beyond Earth." In 1997 she was named one of "100 Most Influential Hispanics" by Hispanic Business Magazine.

France A. Cordova
Vice Chancellor, Research
& Professor of Physics
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
http://research.ucsb.edu