Jump to other news and events
Purdue University home page
 

Curriculum Vitae

  • Professional Experience

    • President, Purdue University, July 2007 - 2012
    • President, Purdue Research Foundation, July 2007 - 2012
    • Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, July 2007 - present
    • Chancellor, University of California, Riverside, 2002 - 07
    • Distinguished Professor of Physics & Astronomy, UCR 2002 - 07
    • Vice Chancellor for Research, University of California at Santa Barbara, 1996 - 2002
    • Professor of Physics, University of California at Santa Barbara, 1996 - 2002
    • Chief Scientist, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1993 - 96
    • Department Head, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pennsylvania State University, 1989 - 93
    • Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pennsylvania State University, 1989 - 96
    • Deputy Group Leader, Space Astronomy & Astrophysics Group, Los Alamos National Lab, 1989
    • Staff Scientist, Earth and Space Science Division, Los Alamos National Lab., 1979 - 89
  • Degrees

    • BA cum laude, English, Stanford University, 1969
    • PhD, Physics, California Institute of Technology, 1979
    • Honorary Doctorate, Loyola-Marymount University, 1997
    • Honorary Professorship, China Agricultural University, 2005
    • Honorary Doctorate, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, May 2011
    • Honorary Doctorate, Purdue University, May 2012
  • Recognition, Awards

    • Sagamore of the Wabash, awarded by the Governor of Indiana, June 2012
    • Designation as Marquis de Lafayette, awarded by the Mayor of Lafayette, Ind., June 2012
    • PBS documentary "MAKERS: Women Who Make America," 2012, featured public figure
    • Women in Space Science Award, Adler Planetarium Women's Board, May 2012
    • Helen B. Schleman Award from Mortar Board at Purdue University, April 2012
    • One Brick Higher Award, Purdue University, 2012
    • Honorary Science Journalism Laureate, Purdue University, November 2011
    • Commencement Address, Mayo Clinic, May 2011
    • Stanford University Multicultural Alumni Hall of Fame inductee, 2008
    • Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2008
    • California Institute of Technology Distinguished Alumna, 2007
    • "101: The List of the Most Influential Leaders in the Latino Community Today" Latino Leaders National Magazine, Jan 2007
    • Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2007
    • Robert H. Atwell Distinguished Lecture, American Council on Education, February 2006
    • Convocation Keynote Address, La Sierra University, 2005
    • Commencement Speaker, Eberly College of Science, Penn State, May 2004
    • Hispanic Lifestyle Award, Influential Latina of the Year, 2003
    • National Associate of the National Academies, 2002
    • Kilby Prize Laureate 2000, Jack Kilby International Awards Foundation
    • Woman of Distinction, Girl Scouts of Tres Condados, 2000
    • NASA Group Achievement Award for Outstanding Teamwork, Swift Midsize Explorer Team, 2000
    • PBS television documentary, "Life Beyond Earth," 1999, featured scientist
    • American Astronomical Society Second Century Lecturer
    • Fellow, Association for Women in Science, elected 1999
    • "100 Most Influential Hispanics", Hispanic Business Magazine, October 1997
    • Hispanic Achievement Award in Science & Technology, Hispanic Magazine, August 1997
    • Honorary Doctorate of Science, Loyola-Marymount University, 1997
    • Undergraduate Commencement Speaker, Loyola-Marymount, Spring 1997
    • NASA Distinguished Service Medal, 1996
    • Featured in several books on women in science and books for girls, including Cover of "Women in Physical Sciences Careers" (published by Capstone Press, Minnesota), 1999
    • Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Commencement Speaker, Spring 1996
    • University of Texas at El Paso, Commencement Speaker, Spring 1996
    • PBS television documentary "Breakthrough: The Changing Face of Science in America," 1996 premiere, featured scientist
    • Bishop Amat Memorial High School Alumnus of the Year, 1996
    • University of Maryland Commencement Speaker, Winter 1995
    • Penn State University Graduate Commencement Speaker, Spring 1992
    • Who's Who in America, 1992
    • Penn State Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society Induction Address, Winter 1993
    • Shapley Lecturer of the American Astronomical Society, 1993
    • Penn State Phi Beta Kappa Induction Address, Spring 1991
    • NASA Group Achievement Award for the Rosat Satellite Project, 1991
    • "America's 100 Brightest Scientists Under 40," SCIENCE DIGEST magazine, 1984
    • Who's Who in Frontier Science and Technology, 1984
    • The World Who's Who of Women, 1984
    • The International Who's Who of Contemporary Achievement, 1984
    • American Men and Women of Science, 1984
    • Who's Who in American Education, 1993
    • NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship, Mullard Space Science Lab, UK, 1983 (one year)
    • California Institute of Technology Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1979 (three months)
    • Mademoiselle Magazine Guest Editor, New York City, 1969
  • Leadership and Service

    • Corporate and Nonprofit Board Service

      • Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents, Chair, 2012 - 2015
      • Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents, Member, 2009 - present
      • National Science Board, Member, 2008-present; chair, Strategic Planning and Budget Committee, 2012-14
      • Mayo Clinic, Board of Trustees, 2008 - present
      • Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Board of Directors, 2008 - present
      • Edison International, Board of Directors, 2004 - present
      • Belo Corporation, Board of Directors, 2003 - 2007
    • Federal Government Service

      • National Science Board, Various Committees, 2008 - present
      • President's National Medal of Science Committee, 1991 - 94
      • Fundamental Science Committee of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), 1993 - 96
        NSTC Subcommittee on Public Communication of Science, Chair, 1994 – 96
        NSTC Antarctica Working Group of Fundamental Science Committee, 1995 – 96
        NTSC Research Integrity Panel, Chair, 1996
    • Purdue University and Indiana Service

      • Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Development at Purdue, Vice Chair, 2008 - 2012
      • Association of American Universities Council of Presidents and Chancellors, 2007 - 2012
      • Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, 2007 - 2012
      • BioCrossroads, Board of Directors, 2007 - 2012
      • Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Board Member, 2007 - 2012
      • Committee on Institutional Cooperation, 2007 - 2012
      • Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Board Member, 2007 - 2012
      • Purdue Research Foundation, President, 2007 - 2012
    • University of California Service

      • Advisory Board, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2006 - 07
      • Chair, Board of Advisors for Casa de California, 2005 - 06
      • Long-Range Guidance Team, 2005 - 06
      • President's Council on the National Laboratories, 2002 - 07
      • California Mexico Commission on Education, Science, and Technology, 2002 - 07
      • Policy Board, U.C. Microelectronics Innovation and Computer Research Opportunities, 2000
    • National Aeronautics and Space Administration Service

      • Co-Chair, NASA Strategic Roadmap Committee on Education, 2004
      • Chair, Hubble Space Telescope Time Allocation Committee, 2001
      • Chief Scientist, 1993 - 96
      • Chair, Search Committee for Director of NASA Astrobiology Institute, 1998
      • Chair, Science Working Group, Constellation X mission, 1998 - 2000
      • NASA Science Council, Chair, 1994 - 96
      • NASA Program Management Council, 1993 - 96
      • Inventions and Contributions Board, 1994
      • Space Science and Applications Advisory Committee (SSAAC) of the NASA Advisory Council, member, 1991 - 93
      • Röntgen X-ray Observatory (ROSAT) International Users Committee, member, 1985 - 90
      • Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) Guest Observer Working Group (NASA), member, 1988 - 93
      • Management Operations Working Group, Science Operations Branch (NASA, Astrophysics), member, 1988 - 90
      • Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera Team, member, 1993
      • Chair, Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal panel, 1993 - 96
    • Other Federal Agency Service

      • Hamre Commission on Science and Security, Department of Energy, 2000 - 02
      • Advisory Committee for Astronomical Sciences, NSF, member, 1990 - 93
      • External Advisory Board for NSF Particle Astrophysics Center, 1989 - 93
      • The National Science Foundation Advisory Council, 1981 - 84
      • Blue Ribbon Committee on Antarctica's South Pole Station, 1994
    • National Research Council (NRC), National Academy of Science Service

      • NRC Committee on Science, Security, and Prosperity, 2008 - 09
      • American Academy of Arts and Sciences Committee on Research Infrastructure, 2007 - 08
      • NRC Committee on Scientific Communication and National Security, 2005 - present
      • National Panel of Presidents and Chancellors on Models for Flexible Tenure-track Faculty Career Pathways, American Council on Education (ACE), 2004 - 05
      • California Council on Science and Technology, 2003 - 07
      • NAS Roundtable on Scientific Communication and Security, 2003 - 05
      • NRC Policy and Global Affairs Advisory Committee, 2001 - 07
      • Scientific Program Committee, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2000 - 02
      • NRC Fusion Science Assessment Committee, 1999 - 2000
      • NRC Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee, High-Energy Astrophysics from Space Panel, 1999
      • NAS Policy Division, Advisory Committee, 1997 - 2000 [also: reviewer, monitor for numerous STEP and COSEPUP reports]
      • NAS Office on Public Understanding of Science, Advisory Committee, 1997 - 2000
      • Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable, 1995 - 97
      • Committee on Space Astronomy & Astrophysics of the Space Science Board of the NRC, member, 1987 - 90
    • Additional Board and Professional Society Service

      • The Chronicle/New York Times Higher Education Cabinet, 2008
      • Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Board of Trustees, 2007 - 2009
      • The College Board Committee on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education, 2007 - 08
      • University Research Association Council of Presidents, Vice Chair, 2007, Chair, 2008
      • American Council on Education, Board of Directors, 2006 - 2009
      • National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), Board of Directors, 2006 - 2008
      • American Council on Education Commission on Women in Higher Education, 2005
      • AWU Board of Directors, 1998 - 2000
      • Fermilab Board of Overseers (URA), 1st Term 1997 - 2000, 2nd Term 2000 - 02
      • American Astronomical Society, Vice President, 1993
      • High Energy Astrophysics Division, American Astronomical Society, Chair, 1990
      • High Energy Astrophysics Division, American Astronomical Society, Vice Chair, 1989
      • Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) Board of Directors, 1989 - 92, New Term 1992 - 95, Elected Vice Chair 2007
      • AURA Nominating Committee, 1990 - 91
      • Hubble Space Telescope Institute Council (STIC), 1990 - 93
      • STIC Institute Visiting Committee, Nominating Committee for 1992 U. S. National Committee for the International Astronomical Union, 1990 - 93
      • International Astronomical Union Working Group on "Multi-frequency & Multi-facility Astrophysics," Co-Founder, 1988
    • University and Town Committees and Honors (pre-Purdue)

      • 64th Assembly District Woman of the Year, 2007
      • Monday Morning Group (Riverside Leadership) 2002
      • Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, Board member, 1998 - 99
      • Santa Barbara Downtown/Waterfront Visioning Committee, 1997 - 98
      • Santa Barbara Channel Aquarium Science and Education Committee, 1998 - 99
      • Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Advisory Council, 1997 - 98
      • UCSB, Vice Chancellor for Research, 1996 - 2002
      • UCSB, Academic Planning Coordinating Committee, Co-Chair of Rankings Subcommittee, 1999 - 2000
      • UCSB, Campus (Strategic) Planning Design Committee, 1997
      • UCSB, Audit Committee, 1996 - 2002
      • UCSB, Campus Planning Committee, 1996 - 2002
      • Penn State, Head of Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1989 - 93
      • Penn State, Applied Research Laboratory, Advisory Board, 1995 - 96
      • Penn State, Board of Visitors to Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1995 - 96
      • Penn State, Honorary Degrees Committee, Chair, 1992 - 93
      • Penn State, Search Committee for Sr. V.P. for Research and Dean of Graduate School, 1991
      • Penn State, Search Committee for Chair of Computer Science Department, 1991
      • Penn State, Search Committee for Penn State Research Park Marketing Director, 1992
    • Los Alamos National Laboratory Service

      • Nonproliferation and International Security (NIS) Division Review Committee, 1997 - 2002
      • Science and Engineering Advisory Council(SEAC) 1987 - 88, Chair, 1988 - 89
      • GSSA Activity Area (LANL, Lab-wide), member 1987 - 88
      • GSSA Category Team (LANL, Assoc. Dir. ERA), 1986 - 88, Chair, 1986 - 88
      • Los Alamos Fellows' Selection Committee (LANL), 1987
      • Research Advisory Council (LANL, ESS Division), 1985 - 86, Chair, 1985 - 86
    • Conference Organizing

      • Planning Committee, NAS meeting "Balancing National Security and Open Scientific Communication," December 2001
      • Organizer, Jan van Paradijs Symposium, The Netherlands, June 2001
      • Organizer, NASA Administrator's Seminar Series on "America's Next Era in Space"
        Ten interactive seminars distributed over calendar year 1995
      • Chair, Taos Conference on "Multiwavelength Astrophysics," August 1987
      • Chair, "11th North American Workshop on Cataclysmic Variables," Santa Fe, NM, Oct. 1989
      • Chair, "1st Spectroscopic Survey Telescope Workshop," University Park, PA, Oct. 1990
      • Organizing Committee, "Statistical Challenges in Modern Astronomy" Conference, University Park, PA, July 1991
      • Organizing Committee for "Status of Women in Astronomy" Conference, Baltimore, MD, Sept. 1992
      • Convener, Mini-workshop on "Compact Objects" for the 16th Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics, Berkeley, CA, Dec. 1992
      • Organizing Committee, "Interacting Binaries," ASP, San Diego, July 1993
      • Organizing Committee, "New Developments in X-ray and UV Astronomy," COSPAR, IAU, Hamburg, Germany, July 1994
    • Societies

      • American Association for the Advancement of Science
      • International Astronomical Union (past)
      • American Astronomical Society (past)
      • American Women in Science (past)
      • Sigma Xi
      • Caltech Alumni Association
      • Stanford Alumni Association
      • Los Alamos Mountaineers:
        President, 1985-1986, Vice-President, 1984
        Director, Technical Rock Climbing School, 1984
    • Publications

      • Member of a blue-ribbon committee of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which authored in June 2008 a publication entitled "Advancing Research in Science and Engineering” (ARISE). 
      • As a member of National Academies' Committee on Scientific Communication and National Security, co-authored report, "Beyond Fortress America: National Security Controls on Science and Technology in a Globalized World," 2009.
      • Authored more than 150 scientific papers and reports, and numerous public policy papers
      • Editor, Multiwavelength Astrophysics, a book of selected review papers representing all aspects of this field: scientific application, data analysis, and instrumentation, published by Cambridge University Press in 1988
      • Editor, The Spectroscopic Survey Telescope, Workshop Proceedings, October 1990, Penn State University
      • Wrote short novel (as a contest entry), "The Women of Santo Domingo," based on my living and doing anthropology field work in a Zapotec Indian pueblo in Oaxaca, Mexico, as well as a Zapotec Indian cookbook— excerpts of which were published in the Los Angeles Times food section; for these writings, I won a Mademoiselle magazine Guest Editorship and wrote the magazine's feature travel article on Israel ("Shalom, We Echo Shalom," August 1969)
      • Authored and edited newspaper articles while working for the Los Angeles Times News Service, 1971
    • Personal

      • Married to Christian J. Foster; two young adult children
      • Activities: soccer mom, running, rock-climbing, hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, reading, writing