BHS Day 19: George Alcorn, Jr.

Hi! Today we're getting to the Science third of this category and it's another one that leaves me feeling a little confused. If someone is an inventor, does that put them in the tech third or the science third? If someone is featured for their science education, does that make them an education or science entrant? I'm asking the big questions here. lol Anyway, when I get to the third part of this Spotlight I try to feature entrants whose accomplishments belong primarily to science--physicists, botanists, chemists, and the like. That doesn't confuse me. lol Today's entrant, like many of the others in this category, is new to me. His accomplishments often aren't discussed in circles outside the one where its most relevant, so I wanted to make sure to put the spotlight on them today. Check today's reading links; I left some of the accolades out so that you could read his story in full. Let's get to it!

Source

Name: George Edward Alcorn, Jr., 1940-

Profession: Physicist, inventor, professor

Why is the Spotlight on him today? For his innovative contributions to the worlds of physics and space exploration, and his long lasting career in the industry

Notables:

--Won the NASA/GSFC Inventor of the Year award for his invention of an imaging x-ray spectrometer with thermomigration of aluminum

--Contributed to the world of plasma etching and fabricating plasma semiconductor devices and is widely recognized as a pioneer in the field

--Was a senior member at a number of companies, as a senior scientist, senior physicist, and senior advisory engineer

--Holds the patent for over 20 inventions, some published and others still in production 

--Before his career with NASA, was awarded a grant from the company for his work with negative ion formation

--Started working for Howard University as a visiting professor for electrical engineering, then was later upgraded to a full professor at both Howard and the University of D. C., where he teaches a number of courses related to math or science

--Was a project manager for advanced programs at NASA, where he oversaw the development of tech programs and evaluating developing technology to be used at GSFC

--Was acknowledged for his experience and work by a Virgin Islands congresswoman for helping area businesses businesses apply NASA-level technology to their programs

--Created a program called Saturday Academy, which was an honors-level math and science program for inner-city middle school kids

--Was inducted into the Inventors' Hall of Fame for his work

--Attended Occidental College on a four-year scholarship, where he graduated with honors, a Bachelor of Science in Physics, and eight letters in the two sports he played

--Earned his Master's in Nuclear Physics and his Doctorate's in atomic and molecular physics from Howard University

--Oversaw GSFC's Evolution program, the main duty of which was to ensure the space station continued to run at optimal conditions and overseeing the use of new technology relevant to the station

--Served as deputy project manager for advanced development while at NASA, during which he developed technology to use at the 'Freedom' space station

--Was awarded the Government Technology Leadership Award for his work developing and commercializing 

--Was the Chief of the Office of Commercial Programs for the GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center)

--Worked on the computer analysis of launch trajectories and mechanics for a number of rockets used by NASA, the Titan series, the Nova, and the Saturn

Further reading and resources:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Quote of the Day:

"I've been in companies of several hundred people where I was the only Black person. I just will not give up."

-George Alcorn, Jr. 

Today's organization: Black Girls Code

What does this organization provide? Coding and support for young women of color who have interest in STEM fields. The organization has a number of programs, one of which challenges and educates the girls on how to create mobile apps that help serve their communities. A brother organization, Black Boys CODE, is meant to do the same for young men of color trying to break into STEM fields. By going through these organizations, these young people have the opportunity to break into the industry with support, resources and helps create more diversity in STEM. 

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See you tomorrow!