01-078
For Release: October 11, 2001

Barbara L. Kakiris, InDyne, Inc.
Media Relations Office
216/433-2901

Lori J. Rachul
Media Relations Office
216/433-8806
Lori.J.Rachul@nasa.gov

Local Hispanic Researchers Honored for Career Success

"Success through Education" will be the theme when two NASA Glenn Research Center employees are honored at the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference (HENAAC) to be held October 13 in El Paso, Texas.

HENAAC strives to seek, honor and document Hispanic excellence in science, engineering and technology. By choosing role models in the form of award recipients, HENAAC intends to prove that careers in science and technology are not only a possibility for Hispanics, but also a reality. Winners in each category are amongst the best and brightest engineers and scientists nationwide.

"These awards recognize the employees' commitment to enhancing the diversity of the nation's scientific and technical workforce and to achieving excellence in their chosen fields," said Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., director, Research and Technology Directorate.

Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis, chief, Electrochemistry Branch, is being recognized for Diversity in Government. Pérez-Davis was chosen for making a difference in Glenn's approach to Hispanic advancement in education, job promotion, business development and community activities such as being a NASA Administrator Fellow and chair of Glenn's Hispanic Advisory Council. For example, she taught at the University Of Puerto Rico -Mayaguez, implementing science and mathematics workshops for K-12 teachers that impacted more than 1,200 Puerto Rican students in less than a year. She also significantly increased Glenn's Hispanic population through improved recruitment tactics. Pérez-Davis and her husband, José, reside in Strongsville, Ohio. They have two sons.

Dr. Felix A. Miranda, chief, Applied RF Technology Branch, is being recognized for Outstanding Technical Achievement in Government. Miranda was chosen for his significant contributions to new technologies for space communications applications-including advancements in high temperature super-conducting materials and ferroelectric thin films for frequency and phase agile microwave components-that have been recognized in various technical publications, book chapters and U.S. patents. Miranda and his wife, Ivonne, live in Olmsted Falls, Ohio. They have three children

More information about the HENAAC awards and conference is available on the Internet:
            http://www.henaac.org

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Note to Editors: Portraits of Pérez-Davis and Miranda are available at:
            http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/PAO/pressrel/2001/01-078addm.html

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