Njema Frazier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Njema Frazier
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| Born | March 13, 1974 (age 51) |
| Alma mater | Carnegie Mellon, Michigan State University |
| Awards | Alumni Achievement Award Spotlight from Carnegie Mellon University, The Black Engineer of the Year, Department of Defense Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award, Award for Distinguished Service to the National Nuclear Security Administration, Science Spectrum's Trailblazer Award |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Nuclear physics |
| Institutions | Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration |
Njema Frazier (born in San Francisco, California on March 13, 1974) is a brilliant scientist who works with nuclear physics. She works for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in Washington, D.C.. The NNSA helps keep our country safe by managing nuclear weapons and making sure they are secure.
Njema Frazier earned her bachelor's degree in physics from Carnegie Mellon University. She then went on to get her PhD in nuclear physics from Michigan State University. She is also a proud member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
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Growing Up and School
Njema Frazier was born and grew up in San Francisco, California. When she was younger, she loved math. She found her passion for both math and science during a summer program. She enjoyed it so much that she later became a student helper for the program!
She went to Carnegie Mellon University and earned her first degree in 1992. After that, she studied at Michigan State University (MSU). There, she earned a master's degree in physics and a PhD in theoretical nuclear physics. Nuclear physics is the study of the tiny parts that make up atoms. While at MSU, she worked at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Lab.
Her Career in Science
After getting her PhD, Dr. Frazier worked for the Committee on Science in the U.S. House of Representatives for four years. Then, in 2001, she began her career as a nuclear physicist at the NNSA. She worked there until 2016.
Helping Other Scientists
Dr. Frazier has also been an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers. She helped lead the alumni group in 2008 and the leadership training program from 2010 to 2012. She also helped start a group called POWER (Professional Opportunities for Women at Energy Realized). This group supports women who work at the Department of Energy (DOE). POWER also works to inspire young women to enter STEM fields. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Her Work at NNSA
At the NNSA, Dr. Frazier has held many important roles. She has helped lead different divisions, including those that manage international programs and advanced computer simulations. She also worked with inertial confinement fusion, which is a way to create energy by heating and compressing fuel.
Dr. Frazier has worked on improving scientific knowledge about high energy density physics. This field studies how matter behaves under extreme conditions, like those found in nuclear weapons. Her work helps make sure that nuclear weapon stockpiles are kept safe and secure.
As a senior scientist, Dr. Njema Frazier helps manage important science activities related to weapons. She works with national laboratories like Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, and Sandia National Laboratories. Her work helps keep weapons safe without needing to do explosive nuclear tests.
While working at the NNSA, Dr. Frazier also taught as a visiting professor at the National Defense University. She also created her own company, Diversity Science. This company helps connect science experts with jobs in both government and private companies. Her goal is to help more diverse people get jobs in science.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Njema Frazier has received many awards for her important work:
- 2018 Alumni Achievement Award Spotlight from Carnegie Mellon University
- The Grio's List of 100 History Makers in the Making
- The Essence Power List
- The EBONY Power 100 List
- The Black Engineer of the Year
See also
- List of African American women in STEM fields
