Diane Henderson facts for kids

Diane Marie Henderson is an American scientist who studies how liquids and gases move. This field is called fluid dynamics. She also studies the ocean using math, which is known as mathematical oceanography.

What makes her work extra cool is that even though she's a math professor, she also does hands-on experiments! She uses special wave tanks, super fast cameras, and even oil droplets to see how things move in real life.

Her Journey in Science

Diane Marie Henderson earned her Ph.D. (which is a very high degree in science) in 1990. She studied physical oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Her big research project for her Ph.D. was about something called Faraday Waves. Her professor, John W. Miles, helped guide her research.

Today, she is a professor of mathematics at Pennsylvania State University. She also helps lead a special place called the William G. Pritchard Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at the university. It's a place where scientists study how fluids behave.

Awards and Recognition

Scientists often receive awards for their important work. Diane Marie Henderson has received some big ones!

In 1992, she was chosen as a Packard Foundation Fellow. This is a special award given to young scientists who show great promise in their research.

Then, in 1996, she received a Sloan Research Fellowship. This is another important award that helps support early-career scientists who are doing outstanding research.