Evelyn Miralles – Venezuelan Pioneer

As a computer engineer, Evelyn Miralles built the Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics system that is used to simulate operation at NASA. Miralles, 49, leads a team that is currently developing the virtual reality program for the Mars Mission.

Ever since she can remember, Miralles wanted to build something and become an architect. However, when she went to the University of Houston, she started working with computers. She ended up graduating from Lamar University and the University of Houston-Clear Lake with a computer engineering degree.

She then went on to work in Houston at the Virtual Reality Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center for more than 20 years. From training astronauts to supporting the International Space Station Missions and the space shuttle, it has not been boring working as the Principal Engineer and Technology Strategist.

Miralles states that she doesn’t think that being either a woman or Hispanic is a disadvantage, but more of a challenge she must deal with constantly. In fact, she has won many awards for her role in science outreach programs and being an influential Hispanic. In 2016, she was named one of 100 most inspirational women in the world by BBC.

The feminine or masculine name Evelyn is taken from an English surname that was originally derived from the name Aveline. The given name Aveline is from the Norman French version of the Germanic name Avelina, which is a diminutive of Avila. The feminine name Avila is derived from the Germanic element avi that most likely means “desired”.