Who We Are: Cecilia Aragon

Staff Scientist, Computational Research Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Dr. Cecilia Aragon is a Staff Scientist in the Computational Research Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  Her research involves developing collaborative visual interfaces to foster scientific insight.

Born in the U.S. of immigrant parents, Aragon received her Ph.D. in computer science from the University of California, Berkeley and her B.S. in mathematics from the California Institute of Technology.

Prior to holding her current appointment, she was a computer scientist at NASA Ames Research Center for nine years, and before that, the founder and CEO of Top Flight Aviation, where she was an airshow and test pilot, aerobatic champion, and medallist at the World Aerobatic Championships, the Olympics of aviation. She is the only Latina ever to win a spot on the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Team.

She has over 20 years of experience in the computing field, and has held positions in industry, academia, and government.  Her experience ranges from technical positions such as software developer, architect, team lead, instructor, and researcher, to management positions including president and CEO, to non-traditional jobs such as airshow and test pilot.  She is the author of numerous publications in peer-reviewed conferences and journals, has been interviewed by the media numerous times, and has received many awards for her work.

Aragon is also active in supporting diversity in computing.  She is a founding member of Latinas in Computing and a board member of the Computing Research Association’s Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research (CRA-W).  Aragon and her husband have two school-age children, and she enjoys mentoring and working with students of all ages.