2022 HENAAC Awards

Education: Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras; Bachelor’s, Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Cayey.

The power, range and efficiency of propulsion systems, particularly those used in aircraft and spacecraft, are inherently limited by the amount of heat and energy the materials they’re made of can tolerate and process. Dr. Diana Santiago de Jesus is leading research at NASA Glenn Research Center that promises game-changing breakthroughs on both fronts. Her research into advanced thermal management composite structures is instrumental to achieving NASA’s objective of powering the next generation of transport vehicles with electric propulsion systems. 

In her current role, she’s responsible for the materials development efforts for high-energy density components with maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact.  She also develops structures that combine unique properties of nano-reinforced polymers, fibers, and engineered ceramics to create a new class of dielectric and insulation materials.

Dr. Santiago de Jesus first came to NASA as a graduate level intern. After completing her Ph.D., she joined NASA full time and was named a co-principal investigator of the multifunctional structures for the high energy lightweight load-bearing storage project. She co-managed this ambitious and high-risk effort, budgeted at over $8 million and composed of a team of 40 members from 3 different NASA centers, for which her team earned Glenn Research Center’s Silver Medal Award.

In 2018, Dr. Santiago de Jesus was named technology development lead for the Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Nanotubes research portfolio.  As principal investigator, she leads her team in the development of advanced materials with radically augmented thermal- and electrical-conductivity as well as radiation protection properties. 

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Santiago de Jesus developed a passion for chemistry as an undergrad, and she immediately excelled.  While pursuing her Ph.D., she developed a unique electrochemical technique to prepare nanoparticles supported on carbon for fuel cells – a technique that is still being used by other graduate students.