#SoCaltech: Marie Levine — Caltech Magazine

“I’ve always loved science, math, and physics, but more as entertainment. It was fun to me, not thinking about it as a career. And it was really thanks to my father, who pushed me all the way and who encouraged me. … I was content with working in civil engineering in France, and he said, ‘No, no, no. Sign up for a master’s in the United States.’ I came to Caltech and studied earthquakes. … I like to think that my path is more serendipity and taking advantage of opportunities as they came along. If they sounded fun, I went along with it.”

French-born JPL engineer Marie Levine (MS ’82, PhD ’90) (right) was honored in August as Pasadena’s 2023 Woman of the Year by U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (left) on behalf of the 30th Congressional District. The Pasadena Weekly featured her in a September 2 article highlighting her career.

#SoCaltech is an occasional series celebrating the diverse individuals who give Caltech its spirit of excellence, ambition, and ingenuity. Know someone we should profile? Send nominations to magazine@caltech.edu.