Dr. Jeno Sokoloski

Dr. Jeno Sokoloski was born in McLean,VA and is the oldest of three children. When she was in the 4th grade her teacher inspired her interest in math, by taking her and a few classmates aside and working one on one with them.

Growing up, Dr. Sokoloski did not know what she wanted to become. It was not until college that she realized she wanted to be an astronomer. In her early childhood Dr. Sokoloski did not have a mentor, but as she got older the challenge of gymnastics encouraged her to accomplish anything she set her mind to. Dr. Sokoloski's mentor in college was a postdoctoral researcher at MIT. This mentor gave her inside advice about some of the professors at the school, introduced her to different people, and told her the truth about things.

Dr. Jeno Sokoloski attended MIT for her undergraduate work. She began her post- graduate studies at Princeton University, but wound up finishing them at U.C. Berkeley. At all the schools she attended, she studied Physics. One thing she regrets is when initially chose a graduate school based on its prestige and what other people perceived it to be. Instead of listening to herself, she went along with what others told her to do, and based on that she went to Princeton. After two years, she left that school in hopes of finding a more diverse and comfortable atmosphere in which she could learn. Though it was a bad decision, it proved to be a life lesson. Later Jeno transferred to U.C. Berkeley, where she enjoyed the diverse campus, as well as the excellent academics. Jeno's interest in science was sparked within herself. She already knew that she was a technical person, and when she went to MIT she liked what she saw in the course catalog.

During her years at MIT, Dr. Sokoloski had many achievements, but there is one she feels the most proud of. When asked what her greatest achievement was, the first thing she said was,"Probably not physics!" Her senior year at MIT she started an organization with other women at the university where they raised money, and sold T-shirts. They raised enough money to send 5 buses filled with students to march on Washington for women's rights. This was significant because it was at a time when abortion-rights laws and women's rights were being tested.

Currently, Jeno's job responsibility includes research in astronomy. This involves thinking of and applying ideas for the use of telescopes and satellites. The process includes: getting data, writing proposals, analysis, and finally writing a report on her findings. She also works with other people, including students. As an astronomer Dr. Jeno Sokoloski is working on several different projects. She is conducting five experiments, each of which is in different stages. The shortest amount of time it takes to complete one of her projects is one year, while others may take up to three years.

When asked whether it was difficult to be a woman and have a career in science, Dr. Sokoloski's opinion was divided. Since there aren't many women in science, she felt she had bonded with the women friends she had made. When women are discriminated against, they are judged differently from men. Though she did not experience a serious case, at one time she felt discriminated against indirectly. She does have worries about her future and caring for her family because most jobs do not give women options on how to balance their family life and career.

Dr. Sokoloski has achieved her goal of receiving a Ph.D. in physics. Although it took her eight years, she is proud of her success and how far she has made it in life.

Where is she now?

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