Thelma estrin biography sample

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A year later, in 1942, she took a three month course at Stevens Institute of Technology for engineering assistants. In 1980, she accepted a position as professor in the Computer Science Department of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. In 1989 she was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Thelma was an active IEEE volunteer.

In 1960, Thelma joined the Brain Research Institute (BRI) and in 1970 she became the Director of its Data Processing Laboratory. In 1946, she and Jerry moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to pursue undergraduate electrical engineering degrees at the University of Wisconsin. In 1977, she was elected president of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

Further Reading

Thelma Estrin Oral History (1992)

Thelma Estrin Oral History (2002)

Thelma Estrin Oral History (2006)

New Applications of the Computer: Thelma Estrin and Biomedical Engineering

The Computer Pioneers: Weizmann Institute Video Oral History - a multipart interview with the WEIZAC development team including Estrin and many others

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She was born in New York City and attended public schools there.

As Director, she provided computer support for a variety of research projects and helped dozens of researchers make use of computers. Through “Women's studies and computer science: their intersection,” she underscored the necessity of widening women’s access to technology and “expand the world of science and technology from its patriarchal history, which consider these disciplines as inherently masculine." 

Overall, Thelma Estrin’s work in computer science and biomedical engineering was groundbreaking, with her legacy and accomplishments continuing to inspire women in STEM today.

In 1953, Estrin started teaching drafting at the Los Angeles Valley College. She received an Outstanding Engineer of the Year Award from the California Institute for the Advancement of Engineering, an Achievement Award from the Society of Women Engineers (1981), the Haradan Pratt Award (1991), and the Superior Accomplishment Award from the National Science Foundation.

Four years later, she became the first woman elected to a national office of IEEE, serving as Vice President in 1982. In 1959, she gave birth to Deborah Estrin.

In 1956, Jerry accepted an offer FROM UCLA as an associate professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. She attended City College of New York (CCNY) in 1941 where she met her husband Gerald Estrin.

Gerald obtained a teaching position at UCLA in 1953 and they moved to Los Angeles. Soon after, she and her husband moved to Israel to help build the country’s first computer, the Weizmann Automatic Computer.

thelma estrin biography sample

She was one of the first to apply computer technology to healthcare and medical research. She received her BSc in 1948, her MSc in 1949, and her PhD in 1951. She was the first woman to be elected to the IEEE Board of Directors and she served on the Technical Activities Board. Through a great deal of hard work and long days, Thelma Estrin received her B.S., M.S.

and Ph.D. During this time, Thelma taught at Valley College, a junior college in Los Angeles, and did some consulting work.

Thelma Estrin

Birthdate
1924/02/21
Death date
2014/02/15
Associated organizations
Brain Research Institute, University of California
Fields of study
Computing, Biomedical engineering
Awards
Haradan Pratt Award

Biography

Thelma Estrin in front of A-D converter

Thelma Estrin, a 1977 IEEE Fellow "for contributions to the design and application of computer systems for neurophysiological and brain research," is a pioneer in the field of biomedical engineering and as the IEEE's first female vice president.