Imelda Terrazas-Salinas: Women of Color in STEM Technology All-Star Outstanding Achievement Award

Imelda Terrazas-Salinas: Women of Color in STEM Technology All-Star Outstanding Achievement Award

Award Description: Technology all-stars are accomplished women of color from mid-level to advanced states of their careers with 15 or more years in the workforce that have demonstrated excellence in the workplace and in their communities.

About Imelda Terrazas-Salinas: Terrazas-Salinas has been the lead test engineer at the Arc Jet Complex at Ames since 1995. In her role as lead test engineer, Terrazas-Salinas manages test programs and facility operations while also developing and collaborating on research programs. She regularly conducts research studies to improve the ability to measure the test conditions produced in the facilities.

Throughout her career, Terrazas-Salinas has accomplished many achievements. She has been a co-author of three papers that received awards for the best paper by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, or AIAA, Thermophysics Technical Committee.

In 1997, she developed the first edition of the test planning guide for the thermophysics facilities branch test facilities, relying on scattered existing documentation, her own experience, and the expertise of several key team members. The guide serves as the singular reference manual to both agency and outside researchers and project personnel. She also established the quality assurance program for arc jet testing.

Terrazas-Salinas provides project management of several reimbursable Space Act Agreements and interagency agreements with commercial and other government entities each year. Her efficient and timely management of these agreements continues to result in an increase in testing in support of the U.S. Department of Defense customers.