Background
She was born Rachel Zimmerman in London, Ontario.
She was born Rachel Zimmerman in London, Ontario.
The printer was based on software that allowed physically disabled people to communicate by pointing at symbols on a touch-sensitive board which were then translated into written English. She went on to earn a Bachelor in physics from Brandeis University and a master"s degree in Space Science from the International Space University in France. She has worked at the Ames Research Center, the Canadian Space Agency, The Planetary Society and the California Institute of Technology.
Since 2003, she has been employed as Solar System and Technology Education and Public Outreach Specialist at National Aeronautics and Space Administration"s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Her work has been published in the Planetary Report, the Journal of the National Space Society and National Aeronautics and Space Administration"s Ames Research Center Astrogram.
Her grade 7 science project, the Blissymbol Printer, won a silver medal at the 1985 Canada-Wide Science Fair. Her project was also showcased at the World Exhibition of Achievement of Young Inventors in Bulgaria. In 2011, she received the Visionary Award of the Women in Film and Television Showcase at the Toronto International Film Festival.
