The Nobel Prize is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the STEM fields of Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology or Medicine (other prizes include Literature, Peace, and the Nobel Memorial Prize for Economic Sciences). Established by scientist and industrialist Alfred Nobel in his will, the prize is given “to those who, during the preceding…
Category: STEM Like Me
Dr. Nergis Mavalvala STEM Like Me Story
Dr. Nergis Mavalvala was born and raised in Pakistan in 1968. Her parents encouraged her interests in the sciences and convinced her to pursue her academic interests abroad. This brought her to Wellesley College in Massachusetts where she earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and astronomy in 1990. She then went to MIT to receive…
Claudia J. Alexander STEM Like Me Story
Claudia J. Alexander was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1959 and grew up in Santa Clara, California. Her parents, Gaynelle and Harold, in her words, blackmailed Claudia into going to UC Berkley for an engineering degree. They would pay for her schooling as long as she worked toward a ‘’useful” degree instead of journalism, which…
Jerry C. Elliott STEM Like Me Story
When Jerry C. Elliott High Eagle was born in 1943 there were no astronauts or even artificial satellites in orbit, but at age five (9 years before Sputnik ushered in the space race), he dreamed of helping humanity walk on the moon. His dream had a mix of support from his tribal leaders and family.…
Charles Henry Turner - STEM Like Me Story
Charles Henry Turner (1867-1923) was born in Cincinnati, OH to Thomas Turner, church custodian, and Addie Campbell, nurse. In a turbulent post-Reconstruction America, Cincinnati provided a safe community for black families to live, work, and learn. Turner was provided a decent education even graduating as valedictorian of his high school. He then attended the University…