Madelaine Rojas, Panama’s first female astronomer and astrophysicist, is the Executive Director of the Panama Space Science Innovation Center (CENACEP) and professor at the University of Panama. She leads impactful projects like AstroCafé, a satellite monitoring initiative for coffee crops, a Lunar Soil Simulation project, and the Aerospace Aeronautics School. Her work fosters international collaboration, expanding opportunities for Panama in the global space science arena, with the vision of reestablishing Panama as a center for astronaut training and future space science events, echoing its strategic role in the 1960s.
Rojas’ passion for astronomy began in childhood, leading her to earn a Ph.D. in Physical and Mathematical Sciences and become a trailblazer in science innovation and education. Her initiatives, such as founding the Panamanian Space Science Olympiad and facilitating the first public bust of Yuri Gagarin, showcase her commitment to inspiring young scientists and positioning Panama as a hub for scientific engagement in Latin America.
