Rhonda Franklin facts for kids

Rhonda Franklin, born in 1965, is a professor at the University of Minnesota. She teaches electrical and computer engineering. Dr. Franklin is an expert in microwave and radio frequency technology. She studies tiny electronic parts used in radios and microwaves. Her work has earned her many awards. These include the 1998 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. She also received the 2013 Sara Evans Leadership Award. In 2017, she won the John Tate Award for helping college students. In 2018, she was honored with the Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar Award.

Early Life and Education

Rhonda Franklin was born in Rayne, Louisiana. She grew up in Shreveport and Houston, Texas. When she was in high school, people gave her different career advice. Her school counselor thought she should become a secretary. But her science teachers encouraged her to explore STEM fields. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

She attended a summer camp run by the National Science Foundation. This experience made her interested in science. In 1988, she earned her bachelor's degree. She studied Electronic Engineering at Texas A&M University.

Graduate Studies

After college, Dr. Franklin went to the University of Michigan. She earned her Master's degree in 1990. She then completed her PhD in 1995. Her professor was Linda Katehi. Dr. Franklin was the first African American woman in her university's microwave engineering program. In 1995, only six African-American women in the U.S. earned engineering PhDs. She was one of them. Her graduate studies were supported by the National GEM Consortium. She also worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory three times.

Research and Career

Dr. Franklin studies radio-frequency microwave circuits. She finds new ways to connect communication devices. In 1996, she was an instructor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She joined the University of Minnesota in 1998. She became a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department.

In 1998, Bill Clinton gave her the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. This award is very important for young scientists.

Areas of Research

Dr. Franklin's research focuses on several areas:

• Biomedical devices and systems. These are tools used in medicine and biology.
• Fields, Photonics, and Magnetic Recording Technology.
• Micro and Nanostructures. These are very tiny structures.

Her recent work combines fast antennas and circuits. She uses them for medical purposes. For example, her research helps with finding cancer early.

Leadership and Awards

Dr. Franklin made history in her department. She was the first woman to earn tenure as an assistant professor. Tenure means a permanent teaching position. She was also the first African-American woman to earn tenure in her department. She was the first in the entire college too.

In 2007, she became the chair of a scholarship program. She worked to help more minority students learn about microwave engineering. In 2012, she was named a CIC Academic Leadership Fellow. She became a full Professor in 2013.

She won the 2014 Sara Evans Award for her success in wireless communications. In 2016, she received the John Tate Award. This award recognized her excellent work in advising college students. In 2019, she won the N. Walter Cox Award. This award is for great service to the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society.

Dr. Franklin started the Microwave Packaging and Technology (MPACT) research group. This group is at the University of Minnesota.

In 2020, Dr. Franklin and Chris Purnell received a special award. It was the first IEM Abbott Professorship in Innovative Education. This award helps inspire students from middle school to junior college. It encourages them to consider STEM careers in medicine and healthcare.

In 2023, she returned to the University of Michigan. She received the CE Distinguished Alumni Educator Award. This award recognized her important work in engineering education.

Helping Others and Diversity

Dr. Franklin helped start Project Connect. This program is part of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Project Connect helps college students from diverse backgrounds. It connects them to opportunities in microwave engineering. This field is a part of STEM.

She works with co-founders Tom Weller and Rashaunda Henderson. They volunteer to create this program every year. Project Connect selects students based on their school grades. It offers them chances to learn professional skills and technical training.

Dr. Franklin also mentors young scientists. She does this through the University of Michigan's "Next Prof" program. She uses educational technology to help students from minority groups. This makes learning more accessible for everyone.

See also

In Spanish: Rhonda Franklin para niños