France Anne-Dominic Córdova

Born:

August 5, 1947, Paris, France

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Astrophysicist, University Administrator

Early Life and Education

• Graduated from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California.
• Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University, 1969.
• Ph.D. in Physics from the California Institute of Technology, 1979.

Career and Major Achievements

• Acting Chief Scientist at NASA, 1993
• Head of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Pennsylvania State University.
• Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
• Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside, 2002-2007.
• President of Purdue University, 2007-2012.
• Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), 2014-2020.
• In 2014, France Anne-Dominic Córdova began her role as the 14th director of the National Science Foundation.

Notable Works

• Authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific publications in astrophysics and multi-spectral and time domain astronomy.

Legacy and Impact

France A. Córdova has had a profound impact on American science, from her early contributions to astrophysics to her leadership roles in prominent academic and government institutions. She has been a strong advocate for scientific research, education, and diversity in STEM fields.

Awards and Honors

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