NASA Mars Rover Engineer Z. Nagin Cox to Keynote SIGGRAPH 2016

CHICAGO, 14 July 2016 — ACM SIGGRAPH announces the selection of Z. Nagin Cox, Spacecraft Operations Engineer with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL), as the SIGGRAPH 2016 keynote speaker. ACM SIGGRAPH’s annual conference is the world’s leading interdisciplinary educational experience showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques.

For her keynote, Cox will share stories of NASA missions, including the Mars Exploration Rover, which cut through earthly political and cultural issues, and redefine persistence in engineering and technology. She is known for making listeners rethink their place in the universe and reminding them that robotic explorations of the solar system (and beyond) symbolize all that humankind can do.

“We are thrilled that a scientist of Nagin [Cox]’s caliber will be joining us as our keynote speaker! Since the beginning of time, people have looked up at the night sky and wondered at the frontiers of our knowledge. While there are examples of solitary human exploration, most endeavors that push boundaries involve teams of people working together for a common goal. Robotic space missions are no different — they are defined by the passion of the people who build, launch, and send them out into the dark void to make great discoveries. Nagin will certainly fascinate, inform, and entertain our attendees this year,” said SIGGRAPH 2016 Conference Chair Mona Kasra.

Cox adds, “I am truly excited to be part of SIGGRAPH 2016. No missions of space exploration would be possible without the technologies of computer graphics and the human/robotic interactions they enable. I am very much looking forward to sharing stories of discovery with an audience whose innovations will drive missions of the future.”

A graduate of Cornell University, Cox also attended the Air Force Institute of Technology where she received a master’s degree in Space Operations Systems Engineering. After leaving the Air Force to pursue more civilian space applications, she joined NASA JPL in 1993 and began her time on planetary missions working in outer solar system projects. She served as the Deputy Team Chief of the engineering spacecraft fight team for NASA/JPL’s Galileo mission to Jupiter until the year 2000, then moved to inner solar system exploration as the Deputy Team Chief of the Spacecraft/Rover Engineering Flight Team. Visit the ACM SIGGRAPH blog for more on Cox.

Cox has spoken to audiences around the U.S., in Europe, and in the Middle East on the stories of the people behind these missions. Additionally, she is also involved with the Women’s Rights Committee of Human Rights Watch.

SIGGRAPH 2016 will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center, 24–28 July 2016. Visit the conference web site for more details about Cox’s keynote address, taking place on Monday, 25 July, and to learn more about the conference.

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About SIGGRAPH 2016
The annual SIGGRAPH conference is a five-day interdisciplinary educational experience in the latest computer graphics and interactive techniques, including a three-day commercial exhibition that attracts hundreds of companies from around the world. The conference also hosts the international SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival, showcasing works from the world’s most innovative and accomplished digital film and video creators. Juried and curated content includes outstanding achievements in time-based art, scientific visualization, visual effects, real-time graphics, and narrative shorts. SIGGRAPH 2016 will take place from 24–28 July 2016 in Anaheim, California. Visit the SIGGRAPH 2016 website or follow SIGGRAPH on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Instagram for more detailed information.

About ACM SIGGRAPH
The ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques is an interdisciplinary community interested in research, technology, and applications in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Members include researchers, developers, and users from the technical, academic, business, and art communities. ACM SIGGRAPH enriches the computer graphics and interactive techniques community year-round through its conferences, global network of professional and student chapters, publications, and educational activities.

About ACM
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field’s challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession’s collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, career development, and professional networking.

SOURCE: ACM SIGGRAPH