8 Women Who Are Changing the Face of Science

Women all over the world are changing the face of science. In honor of Women’s Equality Day, here are eight scientists making a difference in their fields.

By: Janet Lee

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Photo By: NASA

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France Cordova

France Cordova is the Director of the National Science Foundation. Cordova, an astrophysicist, was awarded NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal for her research on x-ray and gamma ray sources.

Photo Credit: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Ellen Ochoa

Ellen Ochoa has flown to space four times, logging nearly 1,000 hours in space. Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman in space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1993.

Photo Credit: NASA

Jessica Watkins

Jessica Watkins could one day be part of the first human mission to Mars. Watkins is one of the latest women of color to be accepted into NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Program in 2017.

Photo Credit: NASA

Ruchi Sanghvi

The first female engineer at Facebook, Ruchi Sanghvi has helped make the platform what it is today. She also founded two tech startups and is changing the game in tech.

Photo Credit: Abhijit Bhatlekar

Dorothy Hodgkin

Dorothy Hodgkin’s work in crystallography has advanced studies in diabetes and the development of new antibiotics. Her most groundbreaking discoveries include the structures of penicillin, vitamin B-12 and insulin.

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Sara Seager

Sara Seager is looking for other Earth-like planets. Her studies led to the discovery of an exoplanet atmosphere.

Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown

Jennifer Doudna

HIV, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Jennifer Doudna has revolutionized treatment for these maladies. Doudna helped develop the CRISPR system, a method that allows researchers to make efficient changes to DNA sequences.

Photo Credit: Brian Ach

Tiera Fletcher

Tiera Fletcher is helping build the biggest and fastest rocket ever created. Fletcher, at 24 years old, works at Boeing as one of the lead engineers on NASA’s Space Launch System.

Photo Credit: Jim Bennett