Sixto González facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sixto A. González
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Sixto A. González in 2003
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| Born | 1965 |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican/American |
| Alma mater | University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (BS) Utah State University (Ph.D.) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Scientist |
| Institutions | SRI International |
| Doctoral advisor | Bela G Fejer |
| Notes | |
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González was honored by the United States House of Representatives.
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Sixto A. González Edick, born in 1965, is a scientist from Puerto Rico. He is best known for being the Director of the Arecibo Observatory. This observatory was a very important place for studying space. It was located in Puerto Rico.
When González was the director, the Arecibo Observatory had the world's largest single-dish radio telescope. This huge telescope helped scientists learn about planets and space. Sixto A. González was also the first person from Puerto Rico to become the Director of this famous observatory.
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Early Life and Education
Sixto A. González was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. In 1983, he traveled to Massachusetts in the United States. He returned to Puerto Rico in 1985.
He then went to the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. There, he studied Applied Physics and Electronics. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1988. After that, he was accepted into MIT, a very famous science school. He later completed his Ph.D. (a high-level science degree) in 1994 at Utah State University.
Leading the Arecibo Observatory
After finishing his studies, González returned to Puerto Rico. He became the first Puerto Rican scientist to join the staff at the Arecibo Observatory. He started as a research associate. In 1999, he became a senior research associate.
González also helped create a special program. This program gave high school students and teachers, along with college students, a chance to do real research. They worked in geosciences (the study of Earth) in northwest Puerto Rico.
Becoming the Director
In 2001, González was named assistant director for space and atmospheric sciences. This meant he helped manage the radar facility at Arecibo.
On September 29, 2003, Sixto A. González made history. He became the first Puerto Rican to be named Director of the Arecibo Observatory. Robert Brown, who was the director of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC), chose him for this important role.
As Director, González was in charge of running the entire observatory. He made sure the observatory stayed at the top of research. This included studies in astronomy, planetary science, and space and atmospheric science. His term as director lasted for three years, ending on September 15, 2006.
Later Work
Later, in 2011, the National Science Foundation (NSF) chose SRI International to manage the Arecibo Observatory. González continued his work there. He retired as Director for Space and Atmospheric Sciences at the Arecibo Observatory. This part of the observatory was within SRI's Center for Geospace Studies.
Special Recognition
On October 30, 2003, Sixto A. González received a special honor. The United States House of Representatives publicly congratulated him. This was a big recognition of his achievements and leadership.
See also
- Puerto Rican scientists and inventors
- German immigration to Puerto Rico
