Dr. K. Renee Horton is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and works diligently in the community for STEM education and STEM outreach. Renee believes in changing the face of STEM. She is the founder of Unapologetically Being, Inc., a nonprofit for advocacy and mentoring in STEM. She is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Math (2002) and a Ph.D. in Material Science with a concentration in Physics from the University of Alabama (2011).

Throughout her academic career, Renee has received numerous accolades and awards. She was a NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Graduate Student Research Fellow, a Southern Regional Educational Board Fellow, a Harriet G. Jenkins Pre-Doctoral Fellow, a National Alumni Fellow at the University of Alabama and recipient of the Black Engineer of the Year Trailblazer Award in 2011. In 2017, she was elevated to a Fellow in the National Society of Black Physicists, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a member.

In her day job, she serves as the NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Metallic/Weld Engineer at Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans. In her short time being with NASA, Renee has been awarded six group achievement awards. In 2016, Renee was elected President of the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) as the second woman to hold the office. She has served the physics community abroad as a member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) Women in Physics Working Group and currently serves on several advisory boards dedicated to a more diverse inclusion in physics.

Renee has been an invited speaker for the University of Maryland – Eastern Shore Commencement, the first International Women and Girls Day at the United Nations, Essence Power Stage, March for Science – New Orleans and recently the LSU Engineering Spring Commencement. She has spoken all over the world including South Africa, Brazil, South Korea, Canada, Mexico and the beautiful Virgin Islands. She has been featured on the Spacegal Blog, NASA’s I am Building SLS, Physics Today, and LSU Alumni Magazine. She recently graced the cover of the Hearing Health Foundation Magazine, winter edition which can be found online now. In her, spare time, Renee serves as a motivational speaker, and mentor and role model for young adults.

She is a proud member of the Slidell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as well as the proud mother of three - Eric, Malik and Denise, and Gigi to Gabriel and Addisyn

Join us for our March Forum Friday event on Friday, March 16 at Juban's! Hear Dr. Renee Horton talk about her role at NASA and the importance of STEM education and outreach. Tickets cost $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. 

***To ensure a proper headcount, registration will close on Wednesday, March 14. Be sure to register and reserve your spot!***