Shirley Ann Jackson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shirley Ann Jackson
Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board
In office August 29, 2014 – January 20, 2017 Serving with Jami Miscik
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	David Boren Chuck Hagel
Succeeded by	Steve Feinberg
President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
In office July 1, 1999 – July 1, 2022
Preceded by	Cornelius Barton
Succeeded by	Martin A. Schmidt
Personal details
Born	Shirley Ann Jackson (1946-08-05) August 5, 1946 (age 79) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Spouse	Morris Washington
Education	Roosevelt High School
Alma mater	MIT (BS, MS, PhD)

Shirley Ann Jackson, FREng (born August 5, 1946) is an American physicist and a remarkable leader. She was the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Dr. Jackson is the first African American woman to earn a doctorate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her advanced degree was in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics. She is also the second African American woman in the United States to earn a doctorate in physics.

Her Early Life and Education

Shirley Ann Jackson was born in Washington, D.C.. She attended Roosevelt Senior High School. After graduating in 1964, she went to MIT. There, she studied theoretical physics. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1968.

Dr. Jackson continued her studies at MIT for her doctorate. She received her Ph.D. degree in nuclear physics in 1973. This made her the first African American woman to earn a doctorate from MIT. Her research focused on tiny particles. She was also the second African American woman in the U.S. to earn a physics doctorate. In 2002, Discover magazine named her one of the 50 most important women in science.

Exploring Science at Bell Labs

In 1976, Dr. Jackson joined the Theoretical Physics Research Department at AT&T Bell Laboratories. Bell Labs is famous for many inventions. She studied the basic properties of different materials. Her work helped in understanding materials used in the semiconductor industry. She researched how light and electricity behave in very thin systems.

From 1991 to 1995, Dr. Jackson taught at Rutgers University. She also continued to advise Bell Labs on semiconductor theory. Her research during this time explored the electronic and optical properties of two-dimensional systems. Her fundamental research helped others develop many modern technologies. These include things like solar cells and fiber optic cables.

Leading the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

In 1995, President Bill Clinton chose Dr. Jackson to lead the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). She was the first woman and first African American to hold this important role. The NRC makes sure that nuclear power plants and materials are used safely.

At the NRC, she was in charge of all safety rules for nuclear facilities. She also helped create the International Nuclear Regulators Association. This group brought together top nuclear safety officials from many countries. Dr. Jackson led this international association from 1997 to 1999.

President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

On July 1, 1999, Dr. Jackson became the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). RPI is a well-known technology research university. She was the first woman and first African American to be president of RPI. Her goal was to make RPI a top global research university.

She created a plan called The Rensselaer Plan. Under her leadership, RPI saw many improvements. She helped raise over $1 billion for the university. New buildings were constructed, like the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center. An updated athletic village was also built.

Dr. Jackson's leadership was recognized with significant compensation. This reflected her important role and responsibilities. She served as president for 23 years. On July 1, 2022, she stepped down from her position.

Protecting Nature with The Nature Conservancy

In February 2020, Dr. Jackson joined the Global Board of The Nature Conservancy. This organization works to protect important lands and waters around the world. She is expected to serve on this board until October 2029. Leaders at the Conservancy value her big ideas for solving environmental challenges.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Jackson has received many honors throughout her career. She earned several fellowships and scholarships during her studies. In 2014, she received the National Medal of Science. This is one of the highest honors for scientists in the United States.

In the early 1990s, she received the Thomas Alva Edison Science Award. This award recognized her contributions to physics and her efforts to promote science. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1998. This honored her as a distinguished scientist and advocate for education and public policy.

She has also received 53 honorary doctorate degrees from various universities. In 2007, she was given the Vannevar Bush Award. This award celebrated her lifetime achievements in science and education. In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed her to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. This group advises the president on science policy.

In 2012, she became an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng). In 2021, she received the Hans Christian Oersted Medal. This award is given by the American Association of Physics Teachers.

Her Family Life

Shirley Ann Jackson is married to Morris A. Washington. He is a physics professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. They have one adult son.

Giving Back

In 2019, Dr. Jackson and her husband were recognized for their generous giving. They were named to the Capital Region Philanthropy Hall of Fame.

See also

In Spanish: Shirley Ann Jackson para niños

• Timeline of women in science