Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 8, 2004

NASA named Jose Hernandez, national president of The Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES), as a member of the astronaut candidate class of 2004 at a ceremony held today at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

NASA named Jose Hernandez, national president of The Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES), as a member of the astronaut candidate class of 2004 at a ceremony held today at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

Hernandez is one of six mission specialists selected. The class also consists of two pilots and three educators.

According to NASA, Hernandez and the remaining astronauts will pay a crucial role in helping the agency reach their space exploration objectives: implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program to explore the solar system and beyond; extend human presence across the solar system with a human return to the Moon in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations; develop the innovative technologies, knowledge and infrastructure to explore and support decisions about the destinations for human exploration; and promote international and commercial participation in explorations to further U.S. scientific, security and economic interests.

One of four children in a migrant farming family from Mexico, Hernandez, who didn't learn English until he was 12 years old, spent much of his childhood on what he calls “the California circuit,” traveling with his family from Mexico to southern California each March then working northward to the Stockton area by November picking strawberries and cucumbers at farms along the route. Then they would return to Mexico for Christmas and start the cycle all over again in the spring.

After high school Hernandez attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton, where he studied electrical engineering. He was selected for a co-op position at the prestigious Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory operated by the University of California. During his college years Hernandez began his MAES career as a student member with his university chapter.

After he graduated from Pacific in 1985 with a degree in electrical engineering, Hernandez was awarded a full scholarship to the graduate program at the University of California in Santa Barbara, where he continued his engineering studies. He finished the graduate program early and in 1987 accepted a full-time job with Lawrence Livermore testing the physical properties of various construction and fabrication materials.

During this period, Hernandez became one of the first former MAES student members to be elected to the society’s national board of directors. He served for several years, then took a sabbatical to concentrate on his career goals.

While at Lawrence Livermore, Hernandez worked on signal and image processing applications in radar imaging, computed tomography, and acoustic imaging. Later in his career, Hernandez worked on developing quantitative x-ray film imaging analysis techniques for the x-ray laser program. Hernandez applied these techniques in the medical physics arena and co-developed the first full-field digital mammography imaging system. This system has proven useful for detecting breast cancer at an earlier stage than present film/screen mammography techniques. Hernandez has won recognition awards for his work on this project. He has also worked in the international arena where he represented Lawrence Livermore and the U.S. Department of Energy on Russian nuclear non-proliferation issues.

He rejoined the MAES board in the late 1990s and continued his efforts to elevate the organization to new levels. The board elected him as vice president in 2000. In 2002, he was elected as national president of the society. The society awarded him its Medalla de Oro, the highest honor MAES can bestow upon an individual, for his accomplishments.

Today, Hernandez works in the Materials and Processes Branch of the Engineering Directorate, managing nearly 60 civil service and contractor employees who provide technical materials analysis and scientific support for the Space Shuttle and International Space Station missions. Hernandez’ team plays a key role in returning the Shuttle to flight, developing repair-kit materials for the Shuttle orbiter’s thermal protection system, including wing and tile components.

“I am gratified to see a young student leader come up through the ranks to the level of achievement Jose has attained,” said Hernandez’ mentor and former MAES national president Richard Martinez. “While I know that he has worked hard, I also know that this organization we are so passionate about had a small part in helping him accomplish this.”

Media organizations interested in interviewing Jose Hernandez should contact Julie Burt of the Johnson Space Center Public Affairs Office at (281) 483-5111.

About MAES:
MAES was founded in 1974 to increase the number of Mexican Americans and other Hispanics in the technical and scientific fields. MAES helps to improve the perception of Mexican Americans by projecting the positive image of its members and their accomplishments. Members are able to develop their leadership, communication, management, and technical skills. The annual International Symposium and Career Fair, next scheduled to be held in Austin, Texas, is one opportunity for them to do so. MAES currently maintains its headquarters in the Houston, Texas metropolitan area.

More information regarding MAES and its programs is available at http://www.maes-natl.org/ . Rafaela Schwan, MAES Executive Director, can answer questions about the organization at (817) 423-4332 or execdir@maes-natl.org.

NASA contributed to this story.
 

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