Nergis Mavalvala
Country
United States
Birth - Death
1968 -
Occupation
Academic, Scientist
Description
Professor of Astrophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) since 2002. Research focuses on interferometric Gravitational Waves and Quantum Measurement, and part of the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) Project (detection of ripples in the spacetime fabric caused by the motion of compact, massive astrophysical objects). Winner, 2014 National Organization of Gay & Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) Scientist of the Year. Recipient of the 2013 Joseph F Keithley award for advancements in measurement science and a 2010 MacArthur Fellowship (“Genius Award”). Shot to world-wide acclaim as a member of the group of scientists who proved Einstein's theory of the existence of gravitational waves (2016) when they were detected using the ultrasensitive telescope they created.
Further Reading/Research
- http://web.mit.edu/physics/people/faculty/mavalvala_nergis.html
- http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2012_06_01/caredit.a1200061
- http://www.newnownext.com/meet-the-queer-woman-who-proved-einsteins-theory-about-gravitational-waves/02/2016/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW799w1o3cE
