SWE honors NASA Glenn Research Center engineer with 2014 Achievement Award

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Chicago, has honored Frances Hurwitz, senior materials research engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, with its 2014 Achievement Award.

The Achievement Award, SWE's highest honor, is awarded to a woman at the pinnacle of her career who has made an outstanding contribution to her field. Hurwitz was chosen in recognition of her pioneering work in the development of materials used in space exploration, for exceptional team leadership across disciplines, and for her work to enable a more equitable work environment.

Hurwitz has had a long career at NASA, resolving materials problems through the development of high-temperature thermal materials. She was integral in the development of NASA’s aerogels and established techniques for fabricating composites for entry, descent, and landing and space power systems. She also is the recipient of the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for outstanding scientific and leadership contributions.