Erika Podest: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Short description|Panamanian earth scientist}}

'''Erika Podest''' is an [[earth scientist]] who works at [[NASA]]'s [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] (JPL).

{{Family name hatnote|Podest|Cardoze|lang=Spanish}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}

[[File:Erika Podest NASA photo.webp|thumb|2023 NASA photograph]]

'''Erika Podest Cardoze''' is a Panamanian [[earth scientist]] who works at [[NASA]]'s [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] (JPL). She held an early interest in ecological systems and technological research, going on to earn degrees in engineering and environmental fields. Joining JPL after earning a [[Ph.D.]], she has worked on multiple NASA projects, particularly those involving satellite launches and observations of Earth's ecosystems through satellite imagery, including the [[Soil Moisture Active Passive]] and [[NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar]] satellites. She has also spent significant time giving conferences and science presentations in Panama and elsewhere in order to increase the amount of children who choose to pursue scientific study.

==Childhood and education==

Born in [[Panama]] to a native Panamanian mother and an [[Austria|Austrian]]n [[watchmaker]] father, Podest spent her childhood developing an interest in nature and technology.<ref name="LAW"/> Her father took her out to explore nature every weekend, including hiking and swimming and locations such as [[Gatun Lake]] and [[Taboga Island]].<ref name="Ellas">{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=19 November 19, 2018 |title=Erika Podest, una científica panameña en la NASA |trans-title=Erika Podest, a Panamanian scientist at NASA |url=https://www.ellas.pa/mundo-ellas/entrevistas/erika-podest-una-cientifica-panamena-en-la-nasa/ |language=Spanish |work=Ellas |access-date=18 July 18, 2024}}</ref> She attended [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]] to earn a [[Bachelorbachelor's degree]] in [[electrical engineering]], before going on to earn a [[Mastermaster's degree]] in applied [[environmental physics]] with a thesis on tropical rainforest deforestation and a [[Ph.D.]] where she researched the impacts of carbon dioxide on plant growth in high elevation northern latitudes. During her latter graduate work, she started an eight month [[internship]] with JPL in 2002 to study global ecosystems and remained working there after completing her Ph.D.<ref name="LAW">{{cite news |last=Laden |first=Tanja M. |date=19 May 19, 2011 |title=Erika Podest: The Future Of Weather |url=https://www.laweekly.com/erika-podest-the-future-of-weather/ |work=[[LA Weekly]] |access-date=July 16, July 2024}}</ref> During her latter graduate work, she started an eight-month [[internship]] with JPL in 2002 to study global ecosystems and remained working there after completing her Ph.D.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lasanta |first=Yara |date=April 5, 2023April 2023 |title=¿Cuánto tiempo le queda al planeta tierra? Científica hispana en la NASA responde con base a sus estudios sobre el medioambiente |trans-title=How much time does planet Earth have left? Hispanic scientist at NASA answers based on her studies on the environment |url=https://www.univision.com/local/los-angeles-kmex/erika-podest-inmigrante-nasa |language=Spanish |work=[[Univision]] |access-date=16 July 16,2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Grimaldo |first=Rocio |date=7 March 2002 |title=Una panameña en la NASA |trans-title=A Panamanian at NASA |url=https://www.prensa.com/impresa/opinion/panamena-NASA_0_597690346.html |language=Spanish |work=[[La Prensa (Panama City)|La Prensa]] |access-date=19 July 2024}}</ref>

==Career==

Once Podest was officially hired by JPL in 2009, she was assigned to the Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems Group to use [[remote sensing]] with satellite imagery and [[radar]] to determine the effects of climate change on different ecosystems. In 2011, she began working on the [[Soil Moisture Active Passive]] satellite mission and was involved in its launch in January 2015.<ref name="LAW"/><ref name="Ellas"/> InFor 2023the ongoing mission, she collaboratedhas been monitoring soil moisture with the Unitedsatellite Statesto, Embassyfor inone Panamareason, andsee the Panamaimpact Americanof Centerclimate change on moisture levels globally.<ref name="PANAM"/> In addition, she has been using other satellite data to promotediscover thehow biodiversity is being affected over time.<ref name="NASAPANAM">{{cite news |last=Zorrilla |first=Lissette |date=18 August 2018 |title=La mujer panameña en las ciencias |trans-title=Panamanian women in Panama"science initiative|url=https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/variedades/la-mujer-panamena-en-las-ciencias-1113802 that|language=Spanish involved|work=Panamá PodestAmérica traveling|access-date=19 toJuly schools2024}}</ref> acrossShe Panamalater was made a member of the [[NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar]] (NISAR) mission<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=28 October 2023 |title=Nasa-Isro radar mission to promoteprovide dynamic view of forests |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/nasa-isro-radar-mission-to-provide-dynamic-view-of-forests-wetlands/articleshow/104768891.cms |work=[[Times of India]] |access-date=19 July 2024}}</ref> and spaceacts researchas toan childreninstructor infor theNASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training (ARSET) countryprogram.<ref>{{cite news |last=BernaSanchez |first=AdrianaEduardo Mendieta |date=October15 19,May 2023 |title=ErikaCientíficos Podest:de 'Síla hayNASA uninstruyen futuroa enpersonal lasde ciencias'auxilio de NL y otros estados |trans-title=ErikaNASA Podest:scientists 'Thereinstruct isemergency apersonnel futurefrom inNL science'and other states |url=https://www.laestrellamilenio.com.pa/vidaciencia-y-culturasalud/ciencia/erikacientificos-podestnasa-hayinstruyen-futuronl-cienciaspersonal-LMLE500083auxilio |language=Spanish |work=[[La Estrella de PanamáMilenio]] |access-date=19 July 18, 2024}}</ref>

To promote children's interest in science, particularly in [[Latin American]] countries such as her home, Podest has annually attended the Los Angeles "Adelante Mujer Latina" conference. She also frequently returns to Panama to do tours and presentations there on scientific topics.<ref>{{cite news |last=Domínguez |first=Yanelis |date=12 April 2016 |title=Científica panameña, experta en el clima |trans-title=Panamanian scientist, climate expert |url=https://www.diaadia.com.pa/relax/cientifica-panamena-experta-en-el-clima-649316 |language=Spanish |work=Dia A Dia |access-date=19 July 2024}}</ref> She presented a conference in 2016 on the subject of climate change to Panamanian government officials, local environmentalists, and a large number of students from across the country.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=6 April 2016 |title=Podest y el impacto del cambio climático |trans-title=Podest and the impact of climate change |url=https://www.prensa.com/impresa/vivir/Podest-impacto-cambio-climatico_0_4454554609.html |language=Spanish |work=[[La Prensa (Panama City)|La Prensa]] |access-date=19 July 2024}}</ref> The Panamanian government sponsored a 15-minute video production in 2020 titled "''Mentes Curiosas''" (''Curious Minds'') to air on national television and which prominently featured Podest alongside other NASA scientists.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=6 May 2020 |title=Científicos de la Nasa y entre ellos una panameña contarán su día a día desde el espacio |trans-title=NASA scientists, including a Panamanian, will tell us about their daily life from space |url=https://www.midiario.com/ciencia-y-tecnologia/cientificos-de-la-nasa-y-entre-ellos-una-panamena-contaran-su-dia-a-dia-desde-el-espacio/ |language=Spanish |work=[[Mi Diario]] |access-date=19 July 2024}}</ref> In 2023, she collaborated with the United States Embassy in Panama and the Panama American Center to promote the "NASA in Panama" initiative that involved Podest traveling to schools across Panama to promote science and space research to children.<ref>{{cite news |last=Berna |first=Adriana |date=19 October 2023 |title=Erika Podest: 'Sí hay un futuro en las ciencias' |trans-title=Erika Podest: 'There is a future in science' |url=https://www.laestrella.com.pa/vida-y-cultura/ciencia/erika-podest-hay-futuro-ciencias-LMLE500083 |language=Spanish |work=[[La Estrella de Panamá]] |access-date=18 July 2024}}</ref>

==Awards and honors==

For her work, Podest was named one of the most "outstanding Panamanians in science" by the government of Panama.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=2023 |title=Científica panameña de la NASA agradece a Magistrados del TE |trans-title=Panamanian NASA scientist thanks TE Magistrates |url=https://tupolitica.com/tribunal-electoral-panama/cientifica-panamena-de-la-nasa-agradece-a-magistrados-del-te.html/ |language=Spanish |work=TU Politica |access-date=19 July 2024}}</ref>

==References==

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[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:Jet Propulsion Laboratory faculty]]

[[Category:NASA people]]

[[Category:21st-century Panamanian women]]

[[Category:Panamanian women scientists]]

[[Category:Panamanian people of Austrian descent]]

[[Category:Environmental scientists]]

[[Category:Women earth scientists]]

[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]