NewsBriefs

Renowned astronaut to talk engineering

Ellen Ochoa, who became an astronaut in 1991 and has logged more than 978 hours in space during her four space flights, will discuss how her engineering training influenced her career development. During her speech in Love Auditorium in the Levine Science Research Center at 4 p.m. Feb. 27, she will also show a video capturing her flight experiences.

Ochoa earned a doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University. A member of the first mission to dock with the International Space Station, her technical assignments to-date include flight software verification, flight software and computer hardware development, robotics development testing and training. Ochoa's NASA awards include the Exceptional Service Medal and the Outstanding Leadership Medal. She has also received a number of other awards, including the Women in Aerospace Outstanding Achievement Award and the Hispanic Engineering Albert Baez Award for Outstanding Technical Contributions to Humanity.

Entrepreneurship panel to discuss opportunities for minorities, women

In celebration of Black History Month, the University will host an entrepreneurship panel focused on discussions of opportunities for African Americans, other minority groups and women. The panel, titled "Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Achievement, Prosperity," will be held in the Levine Science Research Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 20. Dinner will be provided.

The event is sponsored by The Duke University Black History Month Committee, Black Student Alliance, Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture, The Office of Multicultural Affairs and The Chronicle.