One of the 2018 nominees for the Women of Color STEM Conference Technical Innovation in Government Award is Dr. Maricela Lizcano, a research materials engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center.

"Dr. Lizcano has emerged as a technology leader with significant impact, demonstrating technical innovation," said Marla Perz-Davis, deputy director of the Glenn Research Center. "She leads the development of new materials technology for high voltage power transmission systems and ceramic matrix composites. Her ability to define a problem with minimal information and to master new knowledge outside her field drives her technical excellence with 1 patent awarded and 9 pending in 7 years."

Lizcano was an adult learner when she went back to school.

"I attended college at 36," she explained. "Many people said 'You’re too old, it’s too late, 'you won’t pass, you’ll quit,' 'you’re blind, who would hire you?' Well, I didn’t listen. Now, here I am at 56 with a Ph.D. It wasn’t too late. I didn’t quit. I’m still legally blind. And, I have the best job on the planet," she said.

Dr. Lizcano thanked the Women of Color Conference for celebrating diversity in science, technology, engineering, and math STEM) careers; NASA for providing an opportunity to change the world, and her family and friends for their support.

"The courage of one’s conviction and hard work is more powerful than the pessimistic words of others," she noted.