|
  
|  
|
Millie Dresselhaus, MIT Professor, Will Be First Woman to Chair Governing Board of American Institute of PhysicsFor immediate release College Park, MD (March 10, 2003)- In the United States, men are still more likely than women to choose a career in science. But Dr. Mildred S. Dresselhaus continues a career in physics distinguished for research accomplishments and her commitment to mentoring young scientists. Now Professor Dresselhaus has been chosen as the first woman to chair the governing board of the American Institute of Physics; a group of 10 scientific societies that apply a wide range of physical sciences to the public welfare. Nuclear physics, acoustics, optics, astronomy, climatology and meteorology are just samples of the sciences AIP societies handle. For Dr. Dresselhaus, leading the AIP board is another accomplishment in a long career that includes winning the National Medal of Science, directing the Office of Science at the US Department of Energy and 35 years of teaching and research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "AIP is important to me and to all physicists. I am very much looking forward to this new opportunity to serve the physics community.” Dresselhaus says. "As I get into the job I hopefully can find areas where I can have special impact. My experiences all give me some perspective that should help me in this new position.” As an educator, Dr. Dresselhaus is known for mentoring dozens of women--as well as men--down the difficult road to physics Ph.Ds. She received her own Ph.D. in physics from the University of Chicago in 1958. Since then, colleagues have honored her work with 17 honorary doctorates. Professor Dresselhaus' work in physics has produced key breakthroughs in understanding carbon nanotubes—atom-thin walls of carbon that promise unprecedented high-strength materials. The MIT professor also has extensive experience as a leader of scientific societies. She has served as President of the American Physical Society (APS), Treasurer of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and on numerous advisory committees and councils. "I look forward to working with Millie to continue to increase the effectiveness of AIP in serving its ten Member Societies and their 125,000 individual members,” said Marc H. Brodsky, Executive Director and CEO of AIP. "She brings experience in society affairs, having served in leadership positions in APS, AAAS, and other societies as well as high-level positions in government and academic circles.” Dresselhaus will succeed John A. Armstrong, who is stepping down as Chair after five years. When he took the position in 1998 Armstrong announced he would follow the recent tradition of AIP Chairs to serve no longer than five years. Two photos of Dr. Dresselhaus are available for download at the following
addresses (right-click on the link and choose ‘save target as...’): Contact: |
