UN recognizes Oaxacan astronaut Mónica Ortiz Álvarez

MEXICO - The United Nations (UN) recognized the work of Mónica Ortíz Álvarez, an analog astronaut of Oaxacan origin.

Originally from the municipality of San Bartolo Coyotepec, 26 years old, she is the first female Analog Astronaut commander from Oaxaca and stands out for her contribution to the space sector in Mexico and Latin America.

On July 2, she was recognized as one of the women who are helping to change the face of science and technology worldwide by the United Nations Office at Geneva (UN Geneva), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The objective of this prestigious recognition was to showcase the work of women leaders in the science and technology sector worldwide, their commitment has changed the prevailing perceptions about STEM careers in the world, overcoming barriers along the way, challenging existing stereotypes and highlighting the vital roles played by women like Monica, in areas usually dominated by men, recognizing them through an incredible exhibition entitled “Not a Woman's Job?”, inaugurated at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the ceremony, led by the leaders of these organizations worldwide, they widely recognized Monica's success and commitment, seeing in her an inspiring example of how women can break barriers and lead the field of science and technology.

They added that Ortiz Alvarez has been a key figure in the promotion and development of high-impact projects in the aerospace field.

In 2023, she became the Commander of the First Latin American Mars Analog Research Mission in Spain, “PRINCIPIA”.

This achievement has boosted the formation of human capital in STEM areas in Latin America and fostered aerospace research among young people, simultaneously promoting the preservation of extreme natural ecosystems for the study and development of space sciences and the creation of new technologies for the benefit of humanity on earth and in space.

Monica leads several institutions and associations in the space scientific-technological sector, one of them, the Foundation Acercándote al Universo (FAU), where she is youth president.

This organization is the most important aerospace ecosystem in Latin America, its outstanding trajectory and efforts have been recognized on multiple occasions, and it is an ally of institutions such as the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others.