On February 18, 2023, Vernol Battiste from NASA’s Human Systems Integration Division was honored with the "Dean-Greene S.T.E.M Award" at the
8th Annual Black Legend Awards Silicon Valley ceremony. During the ceremony, Mr. Battiste was also inducted into the Black Legends Hall of Fame Silicon Valley as a member of the Class of 2023. The Black Legend Awards Ceremony celebrates and honors African-American Pioneers who have made immense and impactful contributions to Silicon Valley. The Dean-Greene S.T.E.M Award is awarded to individuals who promote engineering and science and help create critical and innovative technological advancements to improve the lives of the general public and members of the Black community in Silicon Valley and beyond.
Throughout a prolific and decorated career at NASA's Human Systems Integration Division, Mr Battiste has worked on a number of research projects serving the aviation community, seeking to increase airspace capacity and improve aviation safety. He has spent a large portion of his career as a principal investigator and co-lead of a group investigating advanced cockpit displays of traffic information. The group's primary focus was the development of advanced display principles, concepts, and requirements for the Next Generation Air Traffic Management System (NEXTGEN). Today, Mr Battiste is still working at
NASA Ames Research Center, through the
San Jose State Research Foundation grant, helping to make air travel safer and more efficient for the general public. Prior to NASA, Mr. Battiste was an Air Traffic Controller, with both the FAA and the USAF. He was also a former Jet Engine Mechanic with the USAF.
