Elizabeth Jens
{{short description|Australian propulsion engineer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name = Elizabeth Jens
| image = Beth Jens at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.jpg
| caption = Jens in 2019 US Embassy Canberra video
| birth_place = Torquay, Victoria
| nationality = Australian
| workplaces = Jet Propulsion Laboratory
| alma_mater = University of Melbourne
| thesis_title = Hybrid rocket combustion and applications to space exploration missions
| thesis_url = https://purl.stanford.edu/hq136qf4444
| thesis_year = 2015
}}
Elizabeth Jens (born 1984) is an Australian propulsion engineer who works at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Early life and education
Jens is from Torquay, Victoria.{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/the-women-blazing-a-trail-in-science/news-story/4fb650e35ade8c58c594f9d09c9f547a|title=The Woman Blazing a Trail in Science|website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2018-04-05}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theweeklyreview.com.au/meet/engineer-torquay-chasing-dream-to-become-astronaut-nasa-jpl-beth-jens/|title=A Torquay engineer is chasing her dream to become an astronaut|date=2016-08-04|work=The Weekly Review|access-date=2018-04-05|language=en-US|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141345/https://www.theweeklyreview.com.au/meet/engineer-torquay-chasing-dream-to-become-astronaut-nasa-jpl-beth-jens/|url-status=dead}} She decided at the age of twelve that she wanted to be an astronaut, after seeing a talk from one of the Apollo astronauts in Geelong.{{Cite web|url=http://rocket-women.com/2017/08/meet-a-rocket-woman-elizabeth-jens-propulsion-engineer-nasa-jet-propulsion-laboratory-jpl/|title=Meet A Rocket Woman: Elizabeth Jens, Propulsion Engineer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) – Rocket Women|website=rocket-women.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-04-05}} She went to school at Sacred Heart College, Geelong, where she was encouraged to study maths and physics. She studied at the University of Melbourne, graduating with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and bachelor's degree in physics in 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/a-step-into-the-heavens/|title=A step into the heavens {{!}} 3010|website=mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-05}} She attended an introductory course at the International Space University at Ames Research Center. She completed her graduate studies as a Fulbright scholar (sponsored by BHP) and Rotary International Scholar at Stanford University.{{Cite news|url=https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1947/stories/beth-jens-rotary-ambassadorial-scholarship|title=Beth Jens - Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship|work=Rotary Club of Horsham|access-date=2018-04-05}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.fremontmorningrotary.org/Stories/beth-jens-ambassadorial-scholar|title=Beth Jens, Ambassadorial Scholar|work=Rotary Club of Fremont Warm Springs Sunrise|access-date=2018-04-05}}{{Cite web|url=http://rotary9780.org/stories/ambassadorial-scholar-beth-jens|title=Ambassadorial Scholar Beth Jens {{!}} Rotary District 9780|website=rotary9780.org|access-date=2018-04-05}} After her Masters, Jens joined Jet Propulsion Laboratory as an intern, before beginning a PhD in aeronautics and astronautics. Jens was an Amelia Earhart Fellow in 2012 and 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zontadistrict23.org.au/what-we-do/awards/awardees/|title=Awardees|website=Zonta International District 23|language=en|access-date=2018-04-05}}{{Cite book |doi = 10.1109/AERO.2017.7943960|isbn = 978-1-5090-1613-6|chapter = Precision cleaning samples for science analysis using a gas-based dust removal tool|title = 2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference|year = 2017|last1 = Jens|first1 = Elizabeth|last2 = Tarantino|first2 = Paul|last3 = Preudhomme|first3 = Michael|last4 = Hinchman|first4 = Robyn|last5 = Nakazono|first5 = Barry|last6 = Vaughan|first6 = David|pages = 1–12|s2cid = 37341694}} She completed her PhD, "Hybrid Rocket Combustion and Applications to Space Exploration Missions" in 2016, under the supervision of Brian Cantwell and G. Scott Hubbard.{{Cite news|url=http://melbournecatholic.org.au/Archive/Features/time-out-with-beth-jens-an-astronaut-in-the-making|title=Time out with Beth Jens: an astronaut in the making|work=Melbourne Catholic|access-date=2018-04-05|language=en-AU|archive-date=6 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406040329/http://melbournecatholic.org.au/Archive/Features/time-out-with-beth-jens-an-astronaut-in-the-making|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://purl.stanford.edu/hq136qf4444|title=Hybrid rocket combustion and applications to space exploration missions|website=purl.stanford.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-04-05}} Whilst still a student, Jens was recognised as an Emerging Space Industry Leader.{{Cite web|url=http://commercialspace.pbworks.com/w/page/77799674/ESIL-06|title=Commercial Space Wiki / ESIL-06|website=commercialspace.pbworks.com|language=en|access-date=2018-04-05}}
Career
Jens works on a cold-gas subsystem for Mars 2020. She is also designing the propulsion systems for interplanetary SmallSat missions.{{Cite web|url=http://innovativeengineers.com.au/academia-research/dr-elizabeth-jens|title=Dr Elizabeth Jens - Australia's Most Innovative Engineers|website=innovativeengineers.com.au|access-date=2018-04-05}}
Jens is involved with several initiatives to increase Australia's investment in the space industry.{{Citation|last=FM|first=Player|title=Episode 4: Beth Jens|url=https://player.fm/series/australian-spotlight/episode-4-beth-jens|language=en|access-date=2018-04-05}}{{Cite news|url=https://blogs.adelaide.edu.au/ecms/2017/08/27/australia-to-space-how-to-launch-your-career/|title=Australia to Space: How to launch your career|work=Faculty of ECMS Blog|access-date=2018-04-05|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=http://losangeles.consulate.gov.au/losa/OctoberNewsletter2017.html|title=Australian Consulate-General in|last=Trade|first=corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and|website=losangeles.consulate.gov.au|access-date=2018-04-05}} She appeared on Australia's Science Channel as an expert discussing Elon Musk's Mars plan.{{Cite news|url=https://australiascience.tv/vod/elon-musks-mars-plan-expert-analysis/|title=Elon Musk's Mars Plan: Expert Analysis|access-date=2018-04-05|language=en}} She took part in the Australia SXSW Festival.{{Cite web|url=http://australiasxsw.com/speaker/elizabeth-beth-jens/|title=Beth Jens|last=|first=|date=|website=australiasxsw.com|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2018-04-05}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.campaignbrief.com/2018/03/gday-usa-to-launch-inaugural-a.html|title=G'Day USA to launch inaugural AustraliaHouse at SXSW 2018 from 11 Mar - 16 Mar in Austin, Texas|work=Campaign Brief Australia|access-date=2018-04-05}} She supports Tech Girls Canada.{{Cite web|url=http://www.techgirls.ca/portraits-of-strength/elizabeth-jens/|title=Elizabeth Jens|website=www.techgirls.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-05|archive-date=6 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406040902/http://www.techgirls.ca/portraits-of-strength/elizabeth-jens/|url-status=dead}} In 2018 Jens was listed as a Game Changer by Vogue (magazine).{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com.au/gamechangers/technology-and-business/elizabeth-jens-nasa-scientist/news-story/7ed419fd3c5d4710baa49679a350c482|title=Elizabeth Jens Vogue Game Changers 2018 - Vogue Australia|last=Epaminondas|first=George|website=www.vogue.com.au|access-date=2018-04-05|date=11 March 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com.au/vogue-codes/news/australian-nasa-engineer-beth-jens-on-the-future-of-space-exploration/news-story/cb253f2b81501394040971b7bcabb86b|title=Australian NASA engineer Beth Jens on the future of space exploration - Vogue Australia|last=Jens|first=Beth|website=www.vogue.com.au|access-date=2018-04-05|date=26 March 2018}}
References
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Category:Women space scientists
Category:Australian women engineers
Category:21st-century Australian women engineers
Category:University of Melbourne alumni