NCWIT is excited to announce the 2025 Pioneer in Tech recipient, Dr. Valerie L. Thomas. Dr. Thomas learned basic skills for computing in the 1960s via Abstract Algebra classes in college and graduate school, and hands-on experience with the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory (OGO) data and when she started managing the development of software data systems for the Landsat program in the 1970s.
The rest is history with the development of documents about Landsat Computer Compatible Tapes to help scientists, around the world, who wanted to use Landsat data; managing the development of a system for the LACIE (Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment) feasibility study on the use of Landsat data to predict wheat yield globally; managing the expansion of SPAN (Space Physics Analysis Network), NASA’s wide area network that lead to the Internet with its connections to other wide area networks; and the development of the Minority University-Space Interdisciplinary Network (MU-SPIN), NASA’s program that trained and connected the minority community (HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges) to the Internet when it was introduced to the public in 1990; etc.
In addition to her technical work, Dr. Thomas spent a lot of time sharing her knowledge with students by serving as a mentor for NASA summer interns; speaking to students in schools (elementary to university); participating in education outreach activities; speaking to local and national groups; and serving in leadership roles in non-profit organizations such as the first Vice President, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE); the first female National President, National Technical Association (NTA) that was formed in 1925; President, Science Mathematics Aerospace Research and Technology (S.M.A.R.T.), Inc.; and President of the DMV (DC, MD, and VA) Chapter of SHADES OF BLUE. Dr. Thomas has received numerous awards, including the Award of Merit, the highest award given by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the Equal Opportunity Medal presented by NASA Headquarters.
