Aug. 4, 2021 — Icon. Pioneer. Trailblazer. Mentor. These are some of the superlatives used to describe Chief Scholar and professor Donna J. Cox and her impact on art, science, technology, and society over the last four decades at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Outside of her tremendous work in academia and research, such as coining and defining the term “Renaissance Teams,” Cox is a revered film industry expert who has worked on numerous stunning cinematic projects, including IMAX’s “Cosmic Voyage,” “A Beautiful Planet,” and “Hubble 3D.” Her contributions to innovation, society and the world are monumental, helping pave the way for women in STEAM and inspiring the future. Here, we celebrate her legacy and notable milestones throughout her life and career.
“I can’t believe I lived this life. Whenever I reflect on it, remembering my mother and grandmother, I am touched and inspired to continue forward,” says Cox. “I met kind people who gave me opportunities to prove myself. Things could have been very different if I didn’t have these genuine connections with people, data, science, art, and technology. From being the only person in my whole family to get a high school degree to being one of two people in the world to do what I do, I feel truly blessed.”
Cox retires this month.
Read the in-depth tribute article on her legacy.
Source: Sophie Bui, NCSA