September 21, 2009

Purdue's Córdova to serve as Smithsonian regent

The six-year term, which was previously ratified by the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, begins immediately. President Barack Obama signed a resolution to officially approve the appointment.

"It's a great honor to be selected to serve as a regent for the Smithsonian Institution," Córdova said. "It's a superb institution, recognized globally for its commitment to science, art and history, public outreach, and research."

The Smithsonian Institution, located in Washington, D.C., comprises a museum and research complex of 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoological Park, as well as research facilities. About 70 percent of the Smithsonian's funding comes from the federal government. In 2008 more than 25 million visitors toured the Smithsonian Institution's museums and the National Zoo.

In support of Córdova's appointment on the House floor, Congressman Mark Souder, R-Ind., said: "Dr. Córdova's honors and awards are almost as numerous as the stars in space that she studies. Her accomplishment in the field of astrophysics and her leadership as the head of a national research university provide her with tremendous experience that will benefit the Smithsonian's board and help improve its mission for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Her impact on education and science has been remarkable."

Legislation that created the Smithsonian Institution established the 17-member Board of Regents to oversee the organization. Regents, which meet at least four times per year, include the U.S. chief justice and vice president as ex officio board members. In addition to nine citizen members, the board also includes three members of the U.S. House of Representatives and three members of the U.S. Senate.

"Congress established the Smithsonian Institution in 1846 to expand and preserve knowledge for all Americans, so it is fitting that a former chief scientist at NASA and a dedicated educator has been nominated to this position," said Congressman Steve Buyer, R-Ind. "I am proud that Purdue's own will serve alongside the distinguished members of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution."

The Board of Regents' duties include approving the Institution's budgets and planning documents, proposed new programs and construction, appointments to Smithsonian advisory boards, legislative initiatives, and other general oversight duties.

"I commend the excellent work of Dr. Córdova and her many scientific contributions," said Congressman Mike Pence, R-Ind. "Hoosiers are blessed to have the talent and expertise of Dr. Córdova at Purdue University, and her appointment to the Smithsonian's Board of Regents is a true honor for Indiana. I am confident that she will prove a valuable asset in her new position at the Smithsonian Institution."

Córdova, who was named Purdue's president in 2007, is an internationally recognized astrophysicist. Her scientific career accomplishments have been in the areas of observational and experimental astrophysics, multi-spectral research on X-ray and gamma ray sources and space-borne instrumentation. She has published more than 150 scientific papers and is a co-principal investigator for an experiment currently flying on the European Space Agency's X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission. She is the winner of NASA's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal, and was recognized as a 2000 Kilby Laureate.

Before joining Purdue, she served as chancellor at the University of California, Riverside, from 2002 to 2007, where she also was a distinguished professor of physics and astronomy. From 1996 to 2002, she was vice chancellor for research and a professor of physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. From 1993 to 1996, she was chief scientist at NASA, serving as the primary scientific adviser to the NASA administrator and principal interface between the agency's headquarters and the broader scientific community.

She was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and is a National Associate of the National Academies. She is a member of the National Science Board, the 24-member governing body of the National Science Foundation, and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association for Women in Science. She began a six-year presidential appointment to the National Science Board in November 2008.

In 2007 Córdova was named to the board of directors of BioCrossroads, Indiana's initiative to grow the life sciences through a public-private collaboration. She also was named to the board of trustees for Mayo Clinic in 2008. In addition, she serves on the boards of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Energy Systems Network Corporation.

Córdova received her bachelor's degree in English from Stanford University. She received her doctorate in physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1979. In 1997 she received an honorary doctorate from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. In 2005 she received an honorary professorship from China Agricultural University.

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

To the News Service home page