Shirley Ann Jackson is a prominent African American physicist and pioneer in the field of theoretical physics. She was the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she specialized in theoretical elementary particle physics.

Jackson is known for her groundbreaking research in the areas of condensed matter physics, particle physics, and quantum physics. Throughout her career, she has held several notable positions, including serving as the chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and as the president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she became the first African American woman to lead a top-ranked research university.

Jackson's work has been widely recognized, and she has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of physics and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. Shirley Ann Jackson is a trailblazer in Black history and a role model for aspiring scientists and researchers.