Cynthia Cattell

Cynthia Cattell is a space plasma physicist known for her research on solar flares and radiation belts.

Education and career Cattell has a B.A. from Hampshire College (1974) and earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1980.

As of 2021, Cattell is a professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota. Cattell has also examined the energization of electrons in Earth's radiation belt and used satellite data to examine the behavior of ions flowing around Earth. Cattell uses her scientific knowledge to present the public with viewing opportunities to see the Northern Lights.

Selected publications

Awards and honors

National Academy of Sciences/Committee on Solar Terrestrial Research, 1993-1995 NASA Sun-Earth-Connection Advisory Subcommittee, 1998-2001 Chair, NASA Plasma Sail Assessment Working Group, 2003 National Academy of Sciences/Plasma Sciences Committee, 2001-2005 NASA SSSC Roadmap Committee, 2004-2005 Member, Advisory Committee to UCLA Basic Plasma Science Facility, 2004-2007 Fellow, American Physical Society (2010) George W. Taylor for Distinguished Service (2011) from the University of Minnesota CSE Distinguished Professor (2020) Mullen-Spector-Traux Women's Leadership Award (2014) After receiving an increased dosage of an experimental drug there was a reduction in Cattell's tumor and her lymphoma was considered in remission.