France Córdova

France Córdova
Name	France Córdova
Birth date	5 August 1947
Birth place	Paris, France
Nationality	American
Fields	Astrophysics, Science policy
Workplaces	Los Alamos National Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Purdue University, National Science Foundation
Alma mater	Stanford University (B.A.), California Institute of Technology (Ph.D.)
Known for	NASA Chief Scientist, Director of the National Science Foundation, President of Purdue University, Chancellor of University of California, Riverside
Awards	NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Kilby International Awards, American Academy of Arts and Sciences

France Córdova. An eminent astrophysicist and influential science administrator, Córdova has held pivotal leadership roles at major American research institutions and federal science agencies. Her career spans groundbreaking research in X-ray astronomy and space-based observatories to shaping national science policy and STEM education. She is widely recognized for her advocacy for diversity in the scientific community and for strengthening the United States' position in global scientific research.

Early life and education

Born in Paris to a Mexican-American father and an Irish-American mother, Córdova spent her early childhood in Europe before her family settled in Southern California. She demonstrated an early aptitude for science and literature, initially pursuing English at Stanford University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. After working as a journalist for the magazine Mademoiselle and on the staff of the Los Angeles Times, she returned to academia, driven by a fascination with the universe. She entered graduate school in physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), earning her Doctor of Philosophy in 1979. Her doctoral research involved analyzing data from the Uhuru satellite, the first Earth-orbiting mission dedicated to X-ray astronomy.

Scientific career

Córdova's research career focused on multispectral studies of celestial objects, particularly neutron stars, black holes, and active galactic nuclei. As a staff scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, she served as the Deputy Group Leader for the Space Astronomy and Astrophysics Group. She was a principal investigator on numerous experiments aboard space-based platforms like the Broad Band X-Ray Telescope on the Space Shuttle and the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton observatory. Her work contributed significantly to the understanding of cosmic X-ray backgrounds and the behavior of matter in extreme gravitational fields. She joined the faculty at Pennsylvania State University, where she rose to become Head of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

NASA chief scientist and NSF director

In 1993, Córdova was appointed NASA Chief Scientist by Administrator Daniel Goldin, serving as the primary scientific advisor to the agency's leadership. In this role, she counseled on the scientific priorities of NASA missions and helped develop the agency's strategic plans. From 2014 to 2020, she served as the 14th Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate. At NSF, she championed the "10 Big Ideas," a set of long-term research and process initiatives, and emphasized support for fundamental research, cyberinfrastructure, and broadening participation in STEM fields. Her tenure saw the initiation of major projects like the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

University leadership

Córdova has held senior executive positions at two major public university systems. From 2002 to 2007, she served as the ninth Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside, where she oversaw significant growth in research funding and campus infrastructure. She then became the eleventh President of Purdue University from 2007 to 2012, leading initiatives to expand global engagement, increase faculty hiring, and launch the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. Her leadership in higher education was marked by a focus on innovation, economic development, and student success.

Awards and honors

Córdova has received numerous accolades for her scientific and leadership contributions. These include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the nation's highest NASA award. She is a recipient of the Kilby International Awards and has been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the California Hall of Fame, and the U.S. News & World Report STEM Leadership Hall of Fame. She holds honorary doctorates from several universities, including Dartmouth College, University of Notre Dame, and University of Southern California. In 2021, the National Science Board established the NSF France A. Córdova International Postdoctoral Fellowship in her honor.

Personal life

She is married to astrophysicist Christian J. Foster, a former professor at Pennsylvania State University and science educator. They have two children. An advocate for the arts as well as sciences, Córdova is a published poet and has served on the board of the Association of Science and Technology Centers. She remains an active voice in discussions concerning the future of American science, research funding, and science diplomacy.

Category:American astrophysicists Category:American science administrators Category:National Science Foundation directors Category:University of California, Riverside faculty Category:Purdue University people