Penn State Honors ISS National Lab Science Program Director

Rose M. Hernandez, science program director for the ISSInternational Space Station National Laboratory®, was awarded the 2025 David Ford MacFarland Award for Achievement in Materials by her doctorate-granting alma mater, the Penn State Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The award, named in honor of former professor and department head David Ford McFarland, was established in 1948 to honor graduates of Penn State who have honorably distinguished themselves in some field of materials science.

For the ISS National Lab, Hernandez manages a diverse portfolio of research and development to benefit life on Earth. After earning bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and mathematics at the University of Puerto Rico, she began her career as a research scientist and graduate student at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. She then pivoted to private sector R&D focused on the commercialization of materials technologies for a wide variety of industries. The experience she gained in bridging the gap between innovative materials research and practical, market-ready solutions has been pivotal in her work with the ISS National Lab.

On April 10, in conjunction with the award, Hernandez delivered a McFarland Lecture at Penn State titled “From Earth to Space: Advancing Materials Technologies and Embracing Life’s Mission.” The talk featured examples from her career in the commercialization of new material technologies and their economic impact across various industries, including chemistry, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and technology. Hernandez took the audience on a journey to the only national laboratory in space, where groundbreaking research is taking place to benefit life on Earth.

“This award holds a special place in my heart, as it comes from the institution that enriched my journey with knowledge and critical thinking in the field of materials,” Hernandez wrote. “This award is for all of my colleagues, mentors, friends, and family who have helped me grow and succeed in this amazing career in materials science.”