Thelma Estrin

THELMA ESTRIN furthered the use of computers in medicine through her research in biomedical engineering and computer technology. After earning her Electrical Engineering undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin, she joined the Brain Research Institute of UCLA in 1960, where she founded the Data Processing Laboratory, and served as its director from 1970 to 1980. She designed and implemented the first general purpose system for analog-digital conversion of electrical activity of the nervous system. In the 70's, before the Internet, her computer system transferred health care data from UCLA to UC Davis. On leave from 1982 to 1984, she served as Director of the National Foundation Division of Electrical, Computing, and Systems Engineering. A Professor Emerita in the Computer Science Department of the University of California, Los Angeles, she previously served as Assistant Dean of its School of Engineering and Director of the UCLA Extension Department of Engineering and Science.

An active IEEE member, Estrin was elected an IEEE Fellow "for contributions to the design and application of computer systems for neurophysiological and brain research". She also was President of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, and has served on numerous national boards and committees, including on the editorial boards of the IEEE Press and IEEE Spectrum. Estrin is also a Fellow of AAAS, Society of Women Engineering, and Founding Fellow of the American Institute for Biomedical Engineering.

Deeply involved in the advancement of women in the computer science fields, Estrin is widely recognized for her contributions to engineering education. Her present interests are encouraging girls and women to enroll in science or engineering curricula and to select, as an elective, a course from Women's Studies Programs to understand the problems females encounter as they integrate into a formerly male profession.

Numerous honors awarded to Estrin include the IEEE Centennial and Millennium Medals; IEEE Haraden Pratt Award; Superior Accomplishment Award of the National Science Foundation; Outstanding Achievement Award from the Society of Women Engineers; the Pioneer in Computing Award from the Grace Hopper Conference for Women in Computing; the Augusta Ada Lovelace Award from the Association For Women in Computing; and election to the Women's Technology International Hall of Fame.