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Year: 1973​

Who: Shirley Ann Jackson​

Where: Boston, Massachusetts​

What: Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, born on August 5, 1946, in Washington, D.C., is a renowned physicist, educator, and leader whose groundbreaking contributions to science and academia have inspired generations. Encouraged by her parents, who fostered her interest in science and mathematics, Jackson excelled academically from an early age. Her fascination with scientific exploration was further ignited during the Space Race of the late 1950s.

As valedictorian of Roosevelt High School, Jackson was among the first African American students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned her Ph.D. in theoretical elementary particle physics in 1973, becoming the first African American woman to receive a doctorate in physics from MIT. Her research on subatomic particles and quantum theories set the stage for a prolific scientific career.

After earning her Ph.D., Jackson conducted research at prestigious institutions, including Fermilab, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and Bell Telephone Laboratories, where she explored the electronic properties of materials for potential superconductivity. Her innovative work earned her a professorship at Rutgers University and leadership roles, such as president of the National Society of Black Physicists.

In 1995, President Bill Clinton appointed Jackson as Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where she led critical advancements in nuclear safety and international collaboration. In 1999, she became the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), transforming the institution into a global leader in research and innovation.

A fierce advocate for diversity in STEM, Jackson has worked tirelessly to address the "Quiet Crisis" of workforce shortages in science and technology. Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1998, she continues to inspire as a trailblazer and advocate, championing equity and innovation across disciplines.

Sources:


Dissertations:

  • Jackson, S. A. (1968). Tunneling density of states behavior in superconducting niobium-titanium (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Articles:

  • Zierler, D. (2021). Q&A: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute president Shirley Ann Jackson on navigating the ivory tower as a Black woman. Physics Today.

Websites:

Address

Johns Hopkins University
2800 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

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