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09/29/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/29/2026 16:05

Astrophysicist France A. Córdova Named 2026 Nierenberg Prize Recipient

Published Date

September 29, 2026

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Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has selected astrophysicist France Anne Córdova as the recipient of the 2026 Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest.

Córdova has been a leader in science, engineering and higher education for more than three decades and she currently serves as president of the Science Philanthropy Alliance, an organization dedicated to expanding funding for scientific research. She also served as chief scientist of NASA, led the National Science Foundation and held leadership roles at major research universities.

The public is invited to attend the 2026 Nierenberg Prize award ceremony and presentation from Córdova in a free event on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Robert Paine Scripps Forum for Science, Society and the Environment at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

As a young girl, Córdova was inspired by the night sky - its immensity, its mysteries and humans' fragile place within it. This curiosity led her to a career as an astrophysicist. Her scientific contributions have been in the areas of observational experimental astrophysics, multi-spectral research on X-ray and gamma ray sources, and space-borne instrumentation. Today, Córdova looks upward with growing concern for the space environment as satellite constellations threaten humanity's ability to observe and understand the universe.

Córdova's presentation, "Vanishing Darkness: Preserving Our Window to the Universe," will explore how to balance technological innovation with stewardship.

"Preserving an unobstructed window on the universe is not about resisting progress; it is about ensuring that humanity's expanding presence in space enhances, rather than diminishes, our capacity for discovery," said Córdova.

The Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest is awarded annually by Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The prize was created through a gift from the Nierenberg family to honor William A. Nierenberg (1919-2000), a renowned national science leader and leading expert in several fields of underwater research and warfare who served as Scripps Oceanography director from 1965 to 1986. Known for his work in low-energy nuclear physics, Nierenberg was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1971 and was the recipient of several awards and honors for professional research and public service.

"Receiving the Nierenberg Prize is a tremendous honor as it recognizes the importance of connecting science with the broader public. Science has given me a lifelong sense of wonder about our universe, as well as a deep appreciation for our responsibility to protect the conditions that make discovery possible," said Córdova. "I hope attendees leave with a renewed sense that technological progress and scientific stewardship can, and must, go hand in hand. As we expand our presence in space, the choices we make today will shape what future generations are able to discover and experience when they look up at the night sky."

Córdova began her research career in 1979 as a staff member in the Earth and Space Sciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory, then went on to lead the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at Pennsylvania State University. During her time at Penn State, she was asked to serve as NASA's chief scientist in 1993, becoming the youngest person and first woman to serve in that role. She represented NASA to the larger scientific community and was awarded the agency's Distinguished Service Medal.

From NASA, she went to UC Santa Barbara where she served as vice chancellor for research and professor of physics. She is also a chancellor emerita of UC Riverside, where she was a distinguished professor of physics and astronomy and laid the foundation for California's first new public medical school in over 40 years.

Córdova was the first woman to serve as president of Purdue University in 2007. She led the university to record research levels, reputational rankings and student retention rates. Córdova held additional leadership roles with the Mayo Clinic, the National Science Board and the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents.

Former President Barack Obama nominated Córdova to lead the National Science Foundation in 2013, and the Senate confirmed her appointment the following year. In this role, she created research goals across disciplines, as well as large-scale changes in processes to encourage and support new research paradigms.

The Nierenberg Prize awarded to Córdova includes a bronze medal and $25,000. Previous awardees include Nobel Prize recipients such as geneticist Svante Pääbo and biochemists Jennifer Doudna and Katalin Karikó; biologist and professor Jeffrey I. Gordon; former NASA astronaut and administrator Charles Bolden; filmmaker Sir David Attenborough; and primatologist Dame Jane Goodall, among other luminaries.

"The family is delighted that the Nierenberg Prize selection committee has chosen Dr. France A. Córdova to receive this year's award," said the Nierenberg family. "Her distinguished career in physics and astrophysics combined with stewardship and innovation at important academic institutions are remarkable. But then we see her strong influence on bipartisan United States science policy and we know that in France, we have a true champion of Science in the Public Interest."

Córdova received her bachelor of arts degree from Stanford University and her PhD from the California Institute of Technology, and she has published more than 150 science research papers and numerous science policy articles. She is a member of the the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. She has received numerous awards and honorary doctorates for her service to science. In 2025, the American Institute of Physics Foundation created the endowed France A. Córdova Forum on Science Policy and Society.

Seating is limited and registration is required for this event. Those interested in attending should RSVP in advance.

Córdova has made four trips to Antarctica on behalf of science where a mountain feature is named for her.
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