2022 GMiS Luminary Honorees

Diana Centeno-Gomez took a leap of faith when she accepted a career offer from a recruiter from NASA’s Glenn Research Center.  The opportunity itself was too good to pass up, but it required a move to a strange place called Cleveland, Ohio — someplace this island girl from Puerto Rico knew next to nothing about.  But she bravely took the leap and set off on what would become a remarkable career journey.

Today, Ms. Centeno-Gomez leads the smart sensing and electronics branch at Glenn Research Center.  She supervises a staff of researchers and engineers who develop base technology for sensors, electronics, and nanotechnology designed to operate in harsh environment applications that are of key importance to advanced aeronautics and space systems. Specific areas of work include thin-film thermocouples and strain gauges, heat flux gauges, chemical species sensors, silicon carbide-based electronics, microelectromechanical systems, and nanotechnology.

While her work has found its way onto many space missions, nothing brings Ms. Centeno-Gomez more satisfaction than knowing she helped bring technology to life that continues to operate aboard the International Space Station. 

Over her entire professional career, Ms. Centeno-Gomez has demonstrated a passion for mentoring and coaching early career individuals at Glenn Research Center and students, especially those from underrepresented groups. Her leadership skills and commitment to the broader community are reflected in the many outreach activities she is involved in beyond her formal NASA role. Due to her community service, professional experience, and contributions, she was selected to the 2020 class of 100+ Latinos Cleveland Must Know program.