Ellen Stofan
Full Name and Common Aliases
Ellen Stofan is a renowned American curator, scientist, and advocate for STEM education.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 14, 1969, Ellen Stofan's birthdate has contributed to her long-standing career in the field of natural history museums.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Ellen Stofan is an American citizen by birth, and she holds multiple professional titles: curator, scientist, director, and former chief scientist at several prominent institutions.
Early Life and Background
Growing up with a passion for dinosaurs, fossils, and science, Ellen's fascination with the natural world led her to pursue higher education. She earned her undergraduate degree in geology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and later received her master's and doctoral degrees in paleobiology from Yale University.
During her graduate studies, Stofan worked under the guidance of renowned paleontologist Paula Morris, developing a deeper understanding of paleontology and its applications. This exposure laid the foundation for her future career in museums and research institutions.
Major Accomplishments
Ellen's extensive career spans over three decades, marked by numerous appointments as director and chief scientist at prominent natural history museums worldwide. Notably:
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Stofan led the museum from 2012 to 2018, overseeing the development of new exhibitions and programs focused on space exploration.
National Museum of Natural History: As its first female director, she oversaw significant renovations and reorganization efforts.
Her commitment to STEM education has been a driving force in her career. She has worked tirelessly to make science accessible and engaging for diverse audiences, particularly through innovative exhibition designs and community outreach programs.
Notable Works or Actions
Ellen's work extends beyond the confines of traditional museums. Some notable examples include:
Space Exploration: During her tenure at the National Air and Space Museum, Stofan played a crucial role in shaping exhibits related to space exploration, including the popular "Right Stuff" exhibit.
Women in STEM: She has actively promoted the representation of women in science and technology through various initiatives and partnerships.
Impact and Legacy
Ellen's dedication to making science accessible and engaging has left an indelible mark on the world of natural history museums. Her efforts have contributed significantly to increasing public awareness and appreciation for STEM fields, particularly among underrepresented groups.
As a pioneering figure in her field, Ellen Stofan continues to inspire future generations of scientists, curators, and museum professionals.
Quotes by Ellen Stofan
If I had an unlimited budget, I would really be probing that question of life because we know what the questions are, and we know what the destinations are.
Instead of being able to look at smaller interesting research projects, I am trying to see the links between all the research NASA does. For me, that's extremely fun because I get to go play and learn about areas of science that I know nothing about.
I live an hour from NASA's HQ in Washington, D.C., and sitting in a jam stresses me out.
Everybody has busy lives, but you can tell people, 'Go outside and look at the night sky. We've been able to demonstrate that every star you see probably has a planet around it.'
Prior to Magellan, due to the fact that we knew it was so hot on Venus, we thought that the rocks at the surface would behave more plastically, more like Silly Putty than like solid rock in the way that we think of it, like the rocks that I'm sitting on.
Every time I give a talk, I ask the audience - especially if it's kids - how many want to go to Mars. At least half raise their hands. I don't think there's going to be any shortage of volunteers.
Water-based life is very much an Earth-centric view, and we can push the envelope on that here in our own solar system. We have the methane seas of Titan.
When you look at Venus and the Earth, they formed at about the same place in the solar system. They're made of about the same materials; they're about the same size.
To avoid congestion, I get up at 5:10, grab a slice of raisin toast, and leave the house at 6 A.M. My husband, Tim Dunn, who works for an environmental agency, is still asleep when I slip out, and I find that rather annoying.