Dismantling the prejudices against Iranians, Firouz Naderi’s contributions to STEM have inspired an influx of next-gen scientists.
The Iranian-American role model utilized every ounce of his visibility to create a difference in society– be it in innovation that changed the world or philanthropy that served the world. Sadly, he breathed his last on 9 June 2023, surrounded by his loved ones, at the age of 77.
We pay our respect to the world-renowned scientist.
Who Is NASA’s Top Iranian Scientist?
1946
Firouz Naderi, born in Shiraz, Iran on 15 March 1946. His Iranian roots and zest for education shaped his worldview of science, completing his Highschool at Don Bosco Boarding School.
As a promising student, he was encouraged to pursue his higher education at a meritorious institute pertaining to his capabilities. And so he decided to pack his bags for an indefinite journey.
1964
He came to America hoping to augment his scientific foundation at just 18.
A young boy in an unknown country, he dedicated his college life to getting a degree, validating him as an Engineering. He successfully graduated in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1969.
His never-ending quest for knowledge encouraged him to enroll at the University of Southern California. Strong academics and reliable credentials got him accepted to the elite university. He completed his MS in 1972, followed by Ph.D. in 1976, establishing himself as a credible electrical engineer, ready to take the American tech industry by storm. However, he had something else on his mind…
1979
He returned to Iran after completing his doctorate and was recruited at the Iranian Remote Sensing Agency. Affirming his roots and service to his motherland, Naderi served his mandatory military duty.
However, the drastic political change led by the Islamic Revolution and the imminent threat of violence coerced him to return to America.
2000
As soon as he set foot in America, he was determined to pursue his passion for scientific endeavors. But his aspirations were elevated further when he was recruited at Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA as Communications Sytems Engineer.
From then on, he was considered a valuable resource, trusted with several significant projects under his wings.
By the mid-1980s, he was assigned leadership roles for–
- Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS)
- Project Manager for NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) – space-based radar measurements used in weather forecasting.
- Manager for NASA’s flagship project to search Earth-like planets in other planetary systems.
His orchestration of these projects was awarded NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal.
And this wasn’t even the end; his career trajectory only skyrocketed when he was appointed as NASA’s Program AManger for Mars Exploration. His replan program of five meticulous years yielded the successful landing of Mars Exploration Rovers– Spirit and Opportunity.
2016
After 36 years of innovation, discovery, and major contributions to scientific studies, Naderi retired in 2016. In honor of decades of his influence, the International Astronomical Union named Asteroid 1989 EL1 as Asteroid 5515 Naderi, celebrating his achievements in space exploration.
2023
His second innings after retirement took a philanthropic route. He served as a board advisor for:
- Keep Children in School Foundation (KCIS)
- International Society of Children with Cancer (ISCC)
- Arasteh-Amin Foundation
- Board member of Iranica Encyclopedia.
He was actively involved in several other philanthropic boards across various causes.
But he never deterred from his scientific pursuits, mentoring the younger generations as a guest speaker at Oxford, Stanford, MIT, Texas A&M University, and Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
He even contributed as a consultant for several early-stage tech startups.
What Happened to Firouz Naderi?
Unfortunately, the NASA Scientist, Firouz Naderi, met with an unexpected accident, as posted by his nephew on 29 May. He endured a dangerous fall while simultaneously suffering a cardiac episode. Subsequently, his neck injury significantly impacted his spinal cord, resulting in paralysis from the neck down.
Doctors had estimated a four to five months recovery period after two consecutive surgeries and recovery. However, on 9 June, his loved ones took to his social media accounts to announce his demise.
The STEM community and people whose lives were touched by Naderi’s inspiring life expressed their condolences and bid him adieu with heartwarming messages.
Aren’t you motivated by Firouz Naderi’s extraordinary life? What do you think of his contributions to the modern era of scientific developments and space research? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
