The Lois M. Jones Award for Science Access, Engagement and Communication honors Lois M. Jones (1935-2000), a geochemist from The Ohio State University who led the first all-woman research expedition to Antarctica in 1969. The award recognizes individuals who expand access to science education and careers and improve the communication of scientific knowledge to diverse audiences. 

The 2025 recipient of the Lois M. Jones Award is Dr. Roxana Sierra-Hernández, currently with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an alumna of The Ohio State University, and a former member of the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center’s Ice Core Paleoclimatology Group. Dr. Sierra-Hernández is celebrated for her humility, service, and dedication to outreach. She has volunteered at the Ohio Science Olympiad state tournament, led bilingual tours of the Byrd Center, and helped to produce a Spanish version of the Huascarán virtual reality tour, making the Byrd Center’s research more accessible to Spanish speaking audiences.

Her commitment to communicating science was most evident during the 2019 Huascarán ice core expedition. She championed the logistics of this multi-million-dollar project by handling negotiations with Peruvian customs and coordinating with local partners, suppliers, and transporters. She also played a central role in communicating with local villagers. Drawing on her fluency, cultural awareness, and scientific understanding, Roxana translated and worked with the community for hours to build trust and ensure the safe retrieval of ice cores. 

For her efforts to broaden access, foster engagement, and bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center proudly recognizes Dr. Roxana Sierra-Hernández as the 2025 Lois M. Jones Award recipient.