Every year, Great Minds in STEM, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and showcasing STEM leaders nationwide, recognizes the brightest Hispanic engineers, mathematicians, scientists and technological experts through the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation (HENAAC) Awards. This past year, three NASA employees from the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, were recognized with prestigious honors.
Azlin Biaggi-Labiosa, Janette C. Briones and Nelson Morales were all recognized at the Great Minds in STEM conference for their outstanding contributions to the aerospace world in 2023. These awards not only bring their contributions and accomplishments into the spotlight but are utilized to encourage the next generation of STEM leaders. Here are the latest winners:
Dr. Azlin Biaggi-Labiosa
A native of Puerto Rico, Biaggi-Labiosa is NASA Glenn Research Center’s manager for the Foundational Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Subproject. In this position, Biaggi-Labiosa is responsible for leading a team of researchers in developing innovative materials and methods to advance aviation sustainably. Additionally, Biaggi-Labiosa has spent much of the last year with her alma mater, the University of Puerto Rico, where she has become instrumental in providing resources to prospective STEM students looking to go into aerospace. She has built a strong working relationship between the school and NASA, delivered presentations to STEM students in Spanish and recruited aspiring STEM leaders into NASA internships.
Biaggi-Labiosa was recognized with the 2023 HENAAC Outstanding Technical Achievement (Government) award. This honor recognizes individuals who contribute to the Hispanic community at the highest levels of academia, government and corporate America in the ways of STEM.
Janette C. Briones
Janette C. Briones is the project manager and principal investigator for NASA Glenn Research Center’s Cognitive Communications Project. In her position, Briones advances cognitive technology developments by introducing machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to NASA’s space communication systems. This technology allows satellites, astronauts and other forms of technology to communicate their findings in space to the team members back on Earth.
Briones was recognized with the HENAAC Professional Achievement I award. This award honors a leader in the government sector who is making strides on behalf of engineers and the Hispanic community.
“It’s something I wasn’t expecting; there are so many outstanding engineers,” Briones said of her award. “I’m very grateful that I have received it and have worked hard for it.”
Nelson Morales
Nelson Morales, another engineer for the Glenn Research Center, is the chief of the Structural Mechanics Branch, which focuses on the innovations, materials and details of the structures at NASA. In his position, Morales oversees the ins and outs of the structural integrity, speed regimes, temperatures, space transportation systems, habitation concepts and mechanics of spacecraft and other structures utilized by the aerospace organization.
For his contributions, Morales was honored with the 2023 Luminary award, given to Hispanic individuals in STEM who are creating and leading key programs and research for their particular field. Morales said of his award:
“It’s an honor to receive this award because we want to be role models for the Hispanic community. I am thankful for all of the people who have helped and supported me throughout the years and have made this possible.”
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