Uma Chowdhry
Personal Information
Born: 1947
Died: 2024
Country of Birth: India
Nationality: Indian-american
Ethnicity: Asian
Education
University of Bombay (now University of Mumbai) BS Physics & Mathematics 1968; Caltech MS Engineering Science 1970; MIT PhD Materials Science 1976
""My advice to all aspiring young women is to believe in yourself, be guided by your own internal compass of values, leave your comfort zone, and make courageous moves to achieve your goals." (Women Worth Watching); "Be clear about purpose of career, make choices, and enjoy learning from every opportunity and challenge. Appreciate diversity of thought, race and gender, and learn from each to complement your own skills. Make people feel valued and include them in decision making to gain alignment and commitment to goals. Put ego aside and work with every- one to create the best results for the company, while ensuring that people feel valued and recognized." (Women Worth Watching); "I had the courage to dream the impossible." (Scientific History)"
— Uma Chowdhry
Professional Life
Field of Study: Polymer Science
Institution/Corporation: DuPont; MIT
Degrees & Memberships: Member: National Research Council; National Committee on Women in Science & Engineering; Board of Directors: Industrial Research Institute (2002-05), Baxter International Inc (2012-24), LORD Corp (2010-24); Advisory Board for the Advanced Technology at National Institute of Standards (NIST 2010), National Inventors Hall of Fame,Laboratory Operations board for DOE (2002), Board of Trustees for Christiana Care Health Services (2003), Advisory Boards of engineering schools at: MIT, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, University of Delaware; Fellow American Ceramics Society (1989), National Academy of Engineering (1996), American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2003)
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2011 IRI Medal; 2011 Earle B. Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management, American Chemical Society; 2006 Chesapeake Bay Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award; 2006 Girls Inc of Delaware Strong, Smart, Bold Award; 2008 Delaware Women's Hall of Fame; 2011 distinguished Alumnus, Caltech
Achievements: while working at DuPont discovered ceramics that conducted electricity (superconductors)
joined DuPont in 1977 as a research assistant & rose through the company in various positions culminating in her role as Senior VP & Global chief Science & Technology Officer, retiring in 2010
enjoyed travel, classical music, collecting ceramic art, walking, reading & fusion food
as a child was determined to win a Nobel Prize
left India with $8 in her pockets to continue her studies in the US, eventually becoming a citizen
attended British missionary schools in India
married for love & against the wishes of her father
although numerous sources note she holds over 20 patents from her work at DuPont only 1 was located