Description: Astrophysicist Dr. Andrea K. Dupree, and Kepler teammate, Ron Gilliland, obtained the first image of the surface of a star. She recently led a team that discovered fast hot winds from very young stars, which could profoundly affect their evolution and the environment of surrounding planets. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Anna J. Phillips, Research Zoologist, National Museum of Natural History, focuses on the systematics, evolution, and host associations of two parasitic worms: leeches and tapeworms. She has conducted fieldwork on 6 of the 7 continents. #Groundbreaker
Description: The Smithsonian Astrophysical Obervatory’s Senior Astrophysicist, Dr. Christine Jones Forman, is attempting to measure how large scale structures in the Universe grow from early times to the present through the Chandra Xray Oberservatory. She is the Smithsonian’s Director of the Consortium for Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe. #Groundbreaker
Description: National Museum of Natural History paleontologist, Dr. Anna K. Behrensmeyer, reconstructs and compares land ecosystems through time to explore how ecology has helped to shape land vertebrate evolution and community structure throughout the Phanerozoic. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Melissa K. McCormick, Plant Ecologist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, studies the interaction between plants and soil microbes. She uses genomics to understand endangered orchids. #Groundbreaker
Description: Astrophysicist Dr. Nancy Remage Evans, formerly of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, was a major contributor to the construction of the Galactic Cepheid Database. She has made observations with the IUE, HST, Chandra, Spitzer, FUSE, WIRE, MOST, and XMM satellites. #Groundbreaker
Description: Retired geologist Dr. Ursula B. Marvin, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, studied lunar samples from the Apollo missions, and meteorites around the world. She has both an asteroid and a mountain ridge in the Antarctic ice named after her. #Groundbreaker
Description: Leila Gay Forbes Clark, director of Smithsonian’s library, 1942–1957, was the second woman to direct the library at the Smithsonian. She led early efforts to create a more centralized library system. In 1952, she coauthored The Butterflies of Virginia with her husband, zoologist Austin Hobart Clark. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Maureen Wanjiku Kamau, Veterinary Research Fellow in One Health, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Global Health Program, 2018–present, treats injured and ill wildlife species, conducts research, and participates in outreach and training. She is currently leading a study on the endangered wild eastern black rhino. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Dawn V. Rogala, Paintings Conservator at the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, analyzes and documents modern artists' materials to facilitate better understanding and preservation of modern paintings at the Smithsonian and affiliated museums. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Mary Baker, Research Organic Chemist & Museum Conservator, Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute (1987–2000), used differential scanning calorimetry to determine the extent of crystallization in order to establish proper storage and handling procedures for spacesuits. #Groundbreaker
Description: Dr. Mary E. Rice was the first Director of the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce. As a scientist, she was at the forefront of the new field "evo-devo," evolutionary developmental biology. #Groundbreaker