NASA, De Anza College and the National Center for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (WiSTEM) will co-sponsor a new ‘Women in Science: No Limits’ lecture series beginning Feb. 19, 2003.

This free public series will feature top women scientists from a variety of fields discussing the paths they took into science careers, as well as the latest breakthroughs in their fields, which include space exploration, oceanography and atmospheric science. The lectures will be held at Flint Center in Cupertino, Calif., and feature a broad range of speakers from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities.

“We are pleased to co-sponsor this exciting new science lecture series designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,” said NASA Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard. “While we are focusing this series on women because they tend to be underrepresented in the technology arena, we are determined to convey the excitement of science to the broadest possible audience, thereby making our national aviation and space programs even more accessible and motivating to all.”

“We’ve only begun to tap the potential contributions of women in the world of science and technology,” said Lisa M. Duncan, president of the board of directors of WiSTEM. “This lecture series will present important role models and expose more young people to the exciting potential of technical careers. It is a pleasure to be working with NASA and De Anza College to present women who, through their scientific pursuits, are making a positive impact in the world.”

“De Anza College is delighted to support this series of lectures in the hope that we can reach young people at a critical juncture, the time when they are thinking about future careers,” said De Anza President Martha Kanter. “What better way than to showcase role models in science and technology to inspire our youth to imagine the options open to them in these exciting fields.”

The spring 2003 lectures include:

* Feb. 19: Dr. Marcia McNutt, president and chief executive officer of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), discussing “Ocean Exploration: Using High-Tech Tools To Study The Sea;”

* April 2: Dr. Azadeh Tabazadeh, atmospheric scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, discussing “Global Warming: Protecting and Preserving Earth’s Fragile Atmosphere,” and

* June 11: Dr. Ellen Ochoa, NASA astronaut, talking about “NASA and Space: An Astronaut’s Perspective.”

McNutt earned a doctorate in Earth sciences in 1978 from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. Her research background ranges from the study of ocean island volcanism in French Polynesia, to continental break-up in the western United States and the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau.
She has published over 80 peer-reviewed scientific articles. McNutt’s awards and honors include: a recent term as president of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Macelwane Award (1988) from the AGU for outstanding research by a young scientist and serving as chairman of the President’s Panel on Ocean Exploration.

The February and June lectures will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be time at the end of each lecture for questions from the audience. The April lecture will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

To reach Flint Center, which is located on the campus of De Anza College in Cupertino, take the Steven’s Creek Blvd. exit off Highway 85. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Children over the age of 12 are welcome. Please bring eight quarters for parking. For further information about the series and about each speaker, call (408) 864-8816 or go to:

www.flintcenter.com

NASA Ames Research Center (http://www.arc.nasa.gov) is located at Moffett Field, Calif., in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Ames specializes in research focused on creating new knowledge and new technologies in nanotechnology, information technology, biotechnology, astrobiology (the search for life in the universe), space science, astronautics and aeronautics.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Moss Landing, Calif., (http://www.mbari.org) is a private, non-profit center funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for advanced research in ocean science and technology. MBARI emphasizes the peer relationship between scientists and engineers to develop better instruments, systems and methods for oceanographic research.

WiSTEM (http://www.wistem.org) is a non-profit organization established in 2001 to advance the roles of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Membership currently consists of seven national women’s organizations.

De Anza College (http://www.deanza.edu), founded in 1967, is a community college serving approximately 24,000 students per year. It offers 60 associate degree programs and 125 certificate programs.