Rice Professor Wins Aerospace Educator Award

Rice Professor Wins Aerospace Educator Award

RICE NEWS

October 28, 1999

Finding ways to get people interested in and learning about space science is one of astrophysicist Patricia Reiff’s favorite endeavors, in addition to research.

Recognizing that, the Women in Aerospace (WIA) national chapter has selected Reiff, professor and chair of Rice’s Department of Space Physics and Astronomy, as the recipient of its 1999 Aerospace Educator Award.

Reiff was honored at a Capitol Hill reception Oct. 19, where Rep. Ken Bentsen (D-Texas) presented the award to her.

Reiff, who received master’s and doctorate degrees from Rice in 1974 and ’75, respectively, was the first woman tenured professor in Rice’s space physics and astronomy department and the first woman to chair the department.

The WIA citation noted that Reiff is well-known in the aerospace field for “her innovative research, dedication and commitment to the professional growth of young people, especially women and minorities.”

Her research into how solar wind, the magnetosphere and the ionosphere interact helps scientists understand space weather, which can disable satellites and disrupt power and communications. Reiff was the first person to propose radio sounding of the magnetosphere.

Reiff heads major NASA-funded projects that bring real-time space weather and earth science information to the public through interactive exhibits at museums and schools and over the Internet. She was director for four years of teacher education projects sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Eisenhower Foundation. She has guided several scientific tours for adults, including recent solar eclipse trips to Aruba and the Black Sea.

Women in Aerospace is a professional organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in the aerospace field. Each year WIA holds an annual awards ceremony to recognize the significant accomplishments of women to the aerospace profession.

Among this year’s five other award recipients was Col. Eileen Collins, NASA astronaut and the first female to command a space shuttle mission. Collins received WIA’s Outstanding Achievement Award.