Irene Greif facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irene Greif
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Greif in 2015
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| Alma mater | MIT |
| Occupation | Computer scientist |
| Spouse(s) | Albert R. Meyer |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Washington, MIT |
Irene Greif is an amazing American computer scientist. She is known for helping to create a special field called computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). This field helps people work together better using computers. She was also the first woman to get a Ph.D. (a very high university degree) in computer science from a famous school called MIT.
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Irene Greif's Early Life and Schooling
Irene Greif grew up in a family where her mother was an accountant. She attended Hunter College High School in New York City. After high school, she went to MIT for her university studies.
Becoming the First Woman Ph.D. at MIT
In 1975, Irene Greif made history. She became the very first woman to earn a Ph.D. in computer science from MIT. For her Ph.D. work, she published an important idea. This idea was called the "actor model." It helped explain how different parts of a computer program can work together.
Irene Greif's Career in Computer Science
Irene Greif started her career as a computer science professor. She taught at the University of Washington. Later, she returned to MIT as a professor. She taught electrical engineering and computer science there from 1977 to 1987.
Creating "Computer Supported Cooperative Work" (CSCW)
In 1984, Irene Greif and a colleague named Paul Cashman came up with a new term. They called it "Computer Supported Cooperative Work," or CSCW for short. This term describes how computers can help groups of people work together. They introduced this idea at a special meeting in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Moving from Teaching to Research
Irene Greif loved doing research more than teaching. So, in 1987, she left her job as a professor. She joined a company called Lotus. At Lotus, she led the team that designed products. In 1992, she started the Lotus Research group.
Working at IBM
Later, Lotus was bought by a big company called IBM. Irene Greif became an IBM Fellow. This is a very high honor for scientists and engineers at IBM. She worked as the director of collaborative user experience. This means she helped make computer programs easier and better for people to use together. She worked at IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center. Irene Greif retired from IBM in 2013.
Awards and Recognition
Irene Greif has received many important awards. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS). She is also a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). These are groups that recognize top experts in their fields. She is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Her awards include:
- Being added to the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame in 2000.
- Receiving the Women Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology Leadership Award in 2008.
- Winning the ABIE Award for Technical Leadership from the Anita Borg Institute in 2012.
Irene Greif is also featured in the "Notable Women in Computing" cards. These cards highlight important women in computer science.
Irene Greif's Personal Life
Irene Greif is married to Albert R. Meyer. He is also a computer science professor at MIT. Irene Greif has a son and a daughter. She also has two step-children. She lives in Newton Centre, Massachusetts.
See also
In Spanish: Irene Greif para niños
