Local Latina NASA Engineer Receives National Recognition

Cleveland, OH, September 7, 2011 – Diana Centeno-Gómez, Research Aerospace Engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center has been given national recognition for professional achievement in government from Great Minds in STEM™ (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics), a national leader in keeping America technologically strong by promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers especially in underserved communities.

Diana Centeno-Gómez, a native of Puerto Rico, has been employed at NASA Glenn Research Center since 1983. As a NASA Subsystem Engineer, her main responsibility was to be NASA’s expert/steward of the Shuttle’s Purge, Vent and Drain (PV&D) subsystem’s functions, hardware, and analysis. In addition, she has also worked on the Biofuels program where she conducted fundamental research and modeling in the area of alternative fuels for aviation.

For 23 years, the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Award Corporation (HENAAC) has recognized the achievements of America’s best and brightest engineers and scientists within the Hispanic community. They were selected by the HENAAC Selection Committee which is comprised of representatives from industry, government, military and academic institutions.

Ms. Centeno-Gómez will receive the Professional Achievement Award at the 23rd HENAAC Annual Conference to be held October 6-8, 2011 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.


“Clearly the safe completion of the Space Shuttle Program was due in part to the careful attention to detail and professionalism of Diana. As a Hispanic American, I am proud of the contributions of Hispanics, and I am honored to work with Diana Centeno- Gómez and congratulate her for this honor,” said Raymond Lugo, Director of NASA Glenn Research Center.

Ms. Centeno-Gómez is an active member and leader in the Hispanic community in Cleveland. She is Vice President of LATINA, Inc., a non-profit volunteer group of Hispanic professional women in Northeast Ohio. She is also ...