Video Interviews with Contemporary Women in Physics and Astronomy Introduction the Videos Compiled Here Include Interviews With

Video Interviews with Contemporary Women in Physics and Astronomy

Introduction The videos compiled here include interviews with and profiles of contemporary women astronomers and physicists. The scope of the interviews extends beyond scientific research to highlight the scientists’ personalities and interests. These first-hand perspectives will enhance any lesson plan. The interviews are organized alphabetically by sponsoring institution.

Interviews American Physical Society Interview with Mildred Dresselhaus, Applied Physicist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dVHupKEFuI Duration: 6 minutes, 31 seconds

Mildred Dresselhaus is a professor of Electrical Engineering and Physics at MIT. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Hunter College in 1951 before studying at the University of Cambridge on a Fulbright fellowship. She later received a master’s degree from Radcliffe College in 1953 and a PhD from the University of Chicago in 1958. During her interview at the 2013 meeting of the American Physical Society, Dresselhaus addresses her work on carbon nanotubes, the state of physics, physics and politics, and the challenges faced by women in physics. As a professional physicist for over 50 years, she offers interesting insight into the evolution of the discipline.

American Physical Society Interview with Nergis Mavalvala, Quantum Astrophysicist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2z_jE6eNIU Duration: 5 minutes, 3 seconds

Nergis Mavalvala is an associate professor in the Physics Department at MIT. She received a bachelor’s degree in physics and astronomy from Wellesley College in 1990 and a PhD from MIT in 1997. During her interview at the 2013 meeting of the American Physical Society, Mavalvala explains her research and the importance of diversity in physics.

Big Think Interview with Melissa Franklin, Particle Physicist http://bigthink.com/users/melissafranklin Duration: 22 minutes, 32 seconds

Melissa Franklin is an experimental particle physicist and chair of the Harvard University Physics Department. In 1993 she became the first woman to receive tenure in the Harvard Physics Department. She attended the University of Toronto and earned her PhD in physics from Stanford University in 1982. She addresses are wide range of topics in her interview, including her early interest in physics, “Breaking into the Harvard Physics Boys Club,” science popularizers, and the social value of particle physics. Franklin is an engaging speaker with an obvious passion for her work.

Big Think Interview with Katie Freese, Theoretical Astrophysicist http://bigthink.com/users/katiefreese Duration: 15 minutes, 11 seconds

Katherine Freese is a professor in the University of Michigan Physics Department and Associate Director of the Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics. She received a bachelor’s

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degree in physics from Princeton in 1977, a master’s degree in physics from Columbia University in 1981, and a PhD in physics from the University of Chicago in 1984. In her Big Think interview, Freese offers clear descriptions of a variety of physical phenomena, including the Big Bang, the evolution of the universe, black holes, and other dimensions. Unfortunately she does not comment on her background and personal experiences.

Big Think Interview with Heidi Hammel, Astronomer http://bigthink.com/users/heidihammel Duration: 50 minutes, 16 seconds (in 12 clips)

Heidi Hammel is a Senior Research Scientist at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado. She earned a bachelor’s degree from MIT in 1982 and a PhD in physics and astronomy from the University of Hawaii in 1988. She has worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at MIT. In her interview Hammel describes her own background and experiences, her research on the planets and the Big Bang, and also comments on science literacy, space exploration, and women in science. She is a friendly and engaging speaker.

Big Think Interview with Lisa Randall, Particle Physicist http://bigthink.com/users/lisarandall Duration: 19 minutes, 28 seconds

Lisa Randall is a professor of theoretical physics in the Harvard University Physics Department. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from Harvard in 1983 and her PhD in 1987. She taught at Princeton University before returning to Harvard. Randall speaks on a variety of topics, including dark energy and matter, science and society, and climate change.

Big Think Interview with Jill Tarter, Astronomer http://bigthink.com/users/jilltarter Duration: 29 minutes, 28 seconds

Jill Tarter is the outgoing director for the Center of Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Research. She received a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from Cornell University in 1965 and a PhD in astronomy from the University of California, Berkeley in 1975. In her interview with Big Think Tarter speaks about her career, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and women in science. Tarter is an engaging speaker.

Cornell Women in Science Interview with Kathy Krafft, Physicist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVyaRqwO-B0 Duration: 5 minutes, 48 seconds

Kathy Krafft attended Carleton College and Cornell University, where she studied physics. After taking time off of her physics career to raise her children, she began to work on exhibits at the Cornell Sciencenter. In this interview with the Cornell Institute for Women in Science, Krafft talks about working in a physics department with no female faculty and the actions she took to improve women’s representation within the department.

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Discovery Channel Curiosity Interview with Lisa Prato, Astronomer http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/videos/curiosity-expert-lisa-prato-videos.htm Duration: 33 minutes, 56 seconds (in 25 clips)

Lisa Prato is an astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a PhD from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1998. In an interview with Discovery Channel’s Curiosity.com, Prato speaks about 25 different topics, including her background and research interests, the culture of astronomy, and women in science. Of great interest include her experiences in a male-dominated field, developing an interest in astronomy, and encouraging girls in science. It is useful to consider the opinions and experiences of young astronomers. This interview pairs well with colleague Shkolnik’s reflections.

Discovery Channel Curiosity Interview with Evgenya Shkolnik, Astronomer http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/videos/curiosity-expert-evgenya-shkolnik- videos.htm Duration: 23 minutes, 17 seconds (in 20 clips)

Evgenya Shkolnik is an astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. She earned her PhD from the University of British Columbia in 2004 and began working at Lowell in 2011. She addresses 20 topics in her Discovery Channel’s Curiosity.com interview, including developing an interest in astronomy, role models, and the challenges faced by female astronomers. These remarks pair well with Prato’s interview.

L’Oreal UNESCO Award Profile of Marcia Barbosa, Physicist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvH8k3Ftrsw Duration: 2 minutes, 24 seconds

In this video profile, 2013 L’Oreal UNESCO 2013 Latin American Laureate Marcia Barbosa explains how she uses computer simulations to investigate the properties of water. She also discusses her family’s reaction to her studying physics and the societal pressure on women to have successful careers while being wives and mothers.

L’Oreal UNESCO Award Profile of Pratibha L. Gai, Physicist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pAKye9AzWI Duration: 2 minutes, 38 seconds

In this video profile, 2013 L’Oreal UNESCO 2013 European Laureate Pratibha Gai describes her multi-continent journey to her present research on improving electron microscopes. She also discusses the lack of female role models in science and how women scientists had to work harder to prove their merit in the scientific workplace. Gai’s colleagues and students are also interviewed.

L’Oreal UNESCO Award Profile of Deborah S. Jin, Physicist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYKjjoUIEN0 Duration: 2 minutes, 41 seconds

In this video profile, 2013 L’Oreal UNESCO North American Laureate Deborah Jin describes her work on ultra-cold gases. She also addresses her early family life and lack of relatable female role models in physics. Jin’s colleagues and students are also interviewed.

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L’Oreal UNESCO Award Profile of Francisca N. Okeke, Physicist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDTTfoFnHrY Duration: 2 minutes, 37 seconds

In this video profile, 2013 L’Oreal UNESCO 2013 Africa and the Arab States Laureate Francisca Okeke describes her atmospheric geophysics research. She also talks about her career trajectory, as the first female head of the physics department at the University of Nigeria, and how she encourages girls and women to pursue careers in physics. Okeke’s colleagues and students are also interviewed.

NOVA Secret Lives of Scientists and Engineers Profile of Caroline Moore, Teen Astronomer http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/secretlife/scientists/caroline-moore/ Duration: 6 minutes, 13 seconds (in 4 clips)

In these video interviews, teen astronomer Caroline Moore discusses her interest in astronomy, as well as her other hobbies. In “30 Seconds Science,” she talks about her discovery of the rarest supernova. In “Reaching for the Stars,” Moore describes her experience hosting the Night of Astronomy at the White House with President Barack Obama. In “10 Questions for Caroline,” she reveals her favorite space movie, her most surprising experience at the White House, and her favorite constellation, among other things. In “The Pipes are Calling,” Caroline speaks about her love for singing. These videos offer a glimpse of Caroline’s personality.

NOVA Secret Lives of Scientists and Engineers Profile of Michelle Thaller, Astronomer http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/secretlife/scientists/michelle-thaller/ Duration: 5 minutes, 41 seconds

In these video interviews Michelle Thaller, assistant director for Science Communication at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, discusses her interest in astronomy, as well as her other hobbies. In “30 Seconds Science,” she discusses the lifecycle of stars and the generation of elements within them. In “10 Questions for Michelle,” she reveals her favorite astronomer, as well as the best and worst aspects of her hobby. In “Dancing with the Stars,” she talks about her hobby of Elizabethan dancing and how outside interests and imagination can enhance scientific work.

Personal Interview with Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2movHF4NzA Duration: 9 minutes, 50 seconds

In this interview Nancy Grace Roman describes the Hubble Space Telescope project and her contributions to it.

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Panel Celebrating the Mercury 13 Available on iTunes U > University of Wisconsin Oshkosh > Honoring the Women of Mercury 13 Panel Discussion Parts 1 and 2 Duration: 38 minutes, 24 seconds (part 1), 28 minutes, 30 seconds (part 2)

This panel discussion at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh honors the Mercury 13, the first women to train for space flight. Moderated by historian Martha Ackmann, the panel features commentary from Sarah Lee Gorelick Ratley, Jeri Sloan Truhill, Bernice Steadman ,

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Rhea Hurrle Woltman , Irene Leverton, Geraldyn “Jerri” Cobb , Gene Nora Jessen , and Myrtl Thompson Cagle. The discussion centers on the women’s early interests and experiences in aviation, the Mercury training program, and the political aftermath of the program’s cancellation.

Women of NASA Interview with Hashima Hasan, Astrophysicist and Space Scientist http://women.nasa.gov/hashima-hasan/ Duration: 3 minutes, 58 seconds

Hashima Hasan was raised in India and earned her PhD in physics from Oxford University. In this interview she describes her early life and influences, her work with Hubble Space Telescope, and the key to success at NASA.

Women of NASA Interview with Pamela Marcum, Astronomer http://women.nasa.gov/pamela-marcum/ Duration: 4 minutes, 39 seconds

Pamela Marcum received her bachelor’s degree in physics and space science from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1987 and a PhD in astronomy from the University of Wisconsin in 1994. In this interview she speaks about her experiences as a woman at NASA and offers advice to young scientists.

Women of NASA Interview with Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Astronaut and Astronomy Teacher http://women.nasa.gov/dottie-metcalf-lindenburger/ Duration: 4 minutes, 34 seconds

Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger is a shuttle astronaut and high school teacher. She received her bachelor’s degree in geology from Whitman College in 1997. Before coming to NASA she taught high school earth science and astronomy. In this interview Metcalf-Lindenburger shares her early interests and influences, her work in the classroom and at NASA, and her advice for young scientists.

Last Updated August 21, 2013

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