Sixto Gonzalez
Encyclopedia
Dr. Sixto González was the first Puerto Rican to be named Director of the Arecibo Observatory
, the world's largest single dish radio telescope
.
but, soon after his birth his family moved to the city of Yabucoa, where he received his primary education. He received his secondary education in Humacao. As a child, he would take things apart and put them back together again, thereby developing a curiosity about the world around him. He graduated with honors from high school and was accepted at MIT.
In 1983, he traveled to Massachusetts
and enrolled in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at MIT. González returned to the island in 1985 and enrolled at the Humacao campus of the University of Puerto Rico
to study Physics
and Electronics, earning his Bachelors of Science degree in 1988. While at the university he was able to do undergraduate research at the Arecibo Observatory, the world's largest single dish radio telescope.
In 1988, González enrolled in the Department of Physics and Center for Space and Atmospheric Sciences at Utah State University
. He was able to base his thesis
"Radar, satellite, and modeling studies of the low latitude protonosphere" from data gained at the observatory. He earned his PhD in 1994.
When González returned to the island, he became the first Puerto Rican member of the scientist staff and named research associate at the observatory. He held this position until 1999 when he was named senior research associate. He and Jose Alonso educational officer at the observatory, together with and Maiella Ramos (UPR) created a new program of firsthand research experience in the geosciences for high school students and their teachers and for undergraduates in northwest Puerto Rico.
In 2001, González was named assistant director for space and atmospheric sciences at the telescopic facility. On September 29, 2003, González became the first Puerto Rican to be named Director of the observatory.
This appointment was made by Robert Brown, director of the National Astronomy and Ionoshere Center (NAIC). Gonzalez was responsible for the overall management of the facility, including the executions of basic policy that maintains the observatory at the front of research in astronomy
, planetary studies and atmospheric science. The appointment to the position of site director had a 3 year term and concluded on September 15, 2006.
In early June 2011 the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that the cooperative agreement to manage, operate and maintain the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico for the next 5 years (2011-2016) would be awarded to SRI International. Gonzalez is currently Director for Space and Atmospheric Sciences at the Arecibo Observatory part of SRI's Center for Geospace Studies and continues to be a member of the Observatory'e scientific staff.
Some of the professional organizations in which Gonzalez is a member are: The American Geophysical Union, the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the URSI commission G. Gonzalez is married and has three children.
when he was publicly congratulated. The following is a quote from the Congressional Record "Mr. Speaker, today I want to congratulate the people of Puerto Rico, the Arecibo Observatory and its scientists on its 40-year anniversary. Also, congratulations to Director Sixto González for his great job and recent ascension to the leadership of the Arecibo Observatory.
Arecibo Observatory
The Arecibo Observatory is a radio telescope near the city of Arecibo in Puerto Rico. It is operated by SRI International under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation...
, the world's largest single dish radio telescope
Radio telescope
A radio telescope is a form of directional radio antenna used in radio astronomy. The same types of antennas are also used in tracking and collecting data from satellites and space probes...
.
Early years
González (birth name: Sixto A. González Edick) was born in Bayamon, Puerto RicoBayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
but, soon after his birth his family moved to the city of Yabucoa, where he received his primary education. He received his secondary education in Humacao. As a child, he would take things apart and put them back together again, thereby developing a curiosity about the world around him. He graduated with honors from high school and was accepted at MIT.
In 1983, he traveled to Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and enrolled in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at MIT. González returned to the island in 1985 and enrolled at the Humacao campus of the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
to study Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
and Electronics, earning his Bachelors of Science degree in 1988. While at the university he was able to do undergraduate research at the Arecibo Observatory, the world's largest single dish radio telescope.
In 1988, González enrolled in the Department of Physics and Center for Space and Atmospheric Sciences at Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
. He was able to base his thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
"Radar, satellite, and modeling studies of the low latitude protonosphere" from data gained at the observatory. He earned his PhD in 1994.
First Puerto Rican Director of the Arecibo Observatory
In 2001, González was named assistant director for space and atmospheric sciences at the telescopic facility. On September 29, 2003, González became the first Puerto Rican to be named Director of the observatory.
This appointment was made by Robert Brown, director of the National Astronomy and Ionoshere Center (NAIC). Gonzalez was responsible for the overall management of the facility, including the executions of basic policy that maintains the observatory at the front of research in astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, planetary studies and atmospheric science. The appointment to the position of site director had a 3 year term and concluded on September 15, 2006.
In early June 2011 the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that the cooperative agreement to manage, operate and maintain the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico for the next 5 years (2011-2016) would be awarded to SRI International. Gonzalez is currently Director for Space and Atmospheric Sciences at the Arecibo Observatory part of SRI's Center for Geospace Studies and continues to be a member of the Observatory'e scientific staff.
Some of the professional organizations in which Gonzalez is a member are: The American Geophysical Union, the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the URSI commission G. Gonzalez is married and has three children.
Honors
On October 30, 2003, Dr. González was honored by the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
when he was publicly congratulated. The following is a quote from the Congressional Record "Mr. Speaker, today I want to congratulate the people of Puerto Rico, the Arecibo Observatory and its scientists on its 40-year anniversary. Also, congratulations to Director Sixto González for his great job and recent ascension to the leadership of the Arecibo Observatory.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican scientists and inventors
- German immigration to Puerto RicoGerman immigration to Puerto RicoGerman immigration to Puerto Rico increased when German businessmen immigrated to Puerto Rico during the early part of the 19th century. However, it was the economic and political situation in Europe during the early 19th century plus, the fact that the Spanish Crown issued the Royal Decree of...
- Alpha Epsilon PiAlpha Epsilon PiAlpha Epsilon Pi , the Global Jewish college fraternity, has 155 active chapters in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Israel with a membership of over 9,000 undergraduates...