Trailblazing Women Innovators in Science and Engineering
Compiled by the Smithsonian collaboration featuring various experts including Sara Cohen and Caitlyn Dittmeier.
1. Dr. Patricia Cowings: Combatting Space Sickness
Research psychologist Dr. Patricia Cowings, affiliated with NASA’s Ames Research Center, pioneered methods to address space sickness, a common issue among astronauts. By inducing simulated sickness during trials, she developed a rapid six-hour training program that combined biofeedback techniques to teach astronauts control over their physiological responses.
Cowings successfully instructed astronauts on managing autonomic functions such as heart rate and muscle relaxation, utilizing visual feedback on oscilloscopes to aid their training.
2. Dr. JoGayle Howard: A Leader in Endangered Species Conservation
Dr. JoGayle Howard made significant strides in reproductive technologies for endangered species at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. By applying human infertility methods, she was instrumental in breeding efforts for various felines including clouded leopards and cheetahs.
Notably, in 1992, she achieved the first successful artificial insemination of a clouded leopard, and under her guidance, the black-footed ferret breeding program thrived, producing over 500 kits from a mere 18 individuals in the 1980s. Howard is also celebrated for the birth of Tai Shan, the National Zoo’s first surviving giant panda cub.
3. Technician Keira Heggie: Innovating Aquatic Surveys
At the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, technician Keira Heggie, in collaboration with Dr. Matt Ogburn, revolutionized how aquatic biologists approach the surveying of oyster reefs in Chesapeake Bay. By fitting GoPro cameras to a PVC frame, they created a method that allows for extensive underwater documentation without the need for diving teams, enabling researchers to assess five times more sites efficiently.
Dr. Allison Tracy from the same center notes how this approach has allowed for unprecedented mapping of oyster habitats.
4. Mary Golda Ross: Pioneer in Aerospace Engineering
Mary Golda Ross, recognized as the first known Native American aerospace engineer, was a critical member of a secret team at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation that spearheaded early space exploration initiatives. During World War II, she contributed to the design of the P-38 Lightning fighter plane and later took part in developing critical projects such as the Polaris missile and Agena launch vehicle.
Ross’s legacy also includes art by America Meredith, which celebrates her contributions. Her commitment to supporting girls in STEM fields is equally commendable.
5. Rear Admiral Grace Hopper: A Computing Pioneer
Grace Hopper, who received a PhD in mathematics from Yale, significantly influenced computing during her tenure in the U.S. Navy Women’s Reserve where she worked on the Mark I computer at Harvard. Her innovative spirit led to the invention of the compiler, a fundamental technology that translates human commands into machine language.
Hopper’s contributions include developing FLOW-MATIC, the first data processing language closer to English syntax, and fostering the development of other programming languages like COBOL. She later rose to the rank of Rear Admiral, demonstrating remarkable leadership throughout her career.
6. Marie Tharp: Mapping the Ocean Floor
Marie Tharp’s groundbreaking work as a geologist and oceanographic cartographer led to the creation of the first comprehensive map of the Atlantic Ocean floor. Her 1957 map provided vital evidence for plate tectonics theory, significantly transforming geological understanding.
“I think our maps contributed to a revolution in geological thinking,” Tharp stated. Her legacy continues to inspire current researchers, including Smithsonian geologist Elizabeth Cottrell, who values Tharp’s signature map as both a research tool and a work of art.
