National Hispanic American Heritage Month

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

10 Notable Hispanic Scientists

Ellen Ochoa: Astronaut and the first Hispanic woman to go to space, served on a 9 day mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery. Holds NASA's Distinguished Service Medal and serves as the director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Frances A. Cordova: Astrophysicist and the director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), a federal agency that develops programs to advance all fields of scientific discovery. She also became the first woman to hold the position of NASA Chief Scientist.
Albert Baez: Mexican-American physicist, co-inventor of the X-ray reflection microscope which allows scientist to examine living cells.
Bernardo Alberto Houssay: Research scientist, earned a Nobel Prize for his research of the relationship between sugar metabolism and a pituitary hormone, a milestone for diabetes management.
Alfonso Caso y Andrade: Anthropologist credited with one of the most important Mesoamerican discoveries, he explored early Oaxacan cultures. Discovered and excavated Tomb Seven at Monte Alban. He also served as rector of UNAM and director of the National Museum and of the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Carlos Juan Finlay: Cuban physicist who first linked yellow fever to mosquitoes.
Helen Rodriguez Trias: Puerto-Rican American pediatrician and healthcare advocate, helped improve access to public health services for women and children in both the US and Puerto Rico. First Hispanic president of the American Public Health Association. She was awarded the Presidential Citizen's Medal for her work with people with HIV and AIDS.
Cesar Milstein: Nobel Prize winning biochemist for his studies of monoclonal antibodies. Developed a technique for the unlimited production of monoclonal antibodies, a type of antibody made by identical immune cells. These antibodies are now used in everything from diagnostic tests to the treatments of several autoimmune diseases.
Ynes Mexia: Mexican-American botanist that discovered two new plant genera and 500 new plant species.
Juan M. Maldacena: Argentinian-born physicist, studies the relationship between quantum gravity and quantum field theories. Currently a faculty member at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Princeton, NJ, he was awarded the Fundamental Physics Prize.