Our blog/article and Radio Show celebrates the life and work Dr. Judith A. Resnik, American Astronaut, Electrical Engineer, Software engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Pilot & Musician
Many of the world’s engineers, mathematicians, scientists, researchers, authors, inventors, medical doctors, and teachers have studied and played musical instruments since they were children. These eminent individuals have integrated music into their thinking process. Studying a musical instrument develops millions of new connections, synapses, between nerve cells in the brain.
Our article of the month is “Building Your Solid Foundation for Success” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
Radio Show Feature Question for June 2025:
How did classical music play a part of Dr. Judith Resnik’s life as an American Astronaut, Electrical Engineer, Software engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Pilot and Musician and what musical instrument did she play?
https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/one-minute-musical-radio-show/
Early Years:
Judith Arlene Resnik was born on April 5, 1949 to Jewish parents, Dr. Marvin Resnik, an Optometrist, and Sarah Polensky Resnik, a legal secretary in Akron, Ohio. Marvin Resnik was born in Preluke, Ukraine . She had a younger brother Charles.
She began studying the piano at a young age. “She was an outstanding student excelling in mathematics, science, languages, and piano.”
“Judy’s father, Marvin Resnik doted on his k’tanah‚ — his little one — showing her how to take radios apart and put them back together.”
Firestone High School:
Judith Resnik was the Valedictorian of her graduating class at Firestone High School. She was “the only woman in the country that year” to have a perfect SAT Score and “only the 16th woman in US history.” She was “bright, disciplined, and highly competitive and “demanded excellence in everything she did.”
How long did Judith (Judy) Resnik practice her piano each day and what were her SAT scores?
Every day Judith Resnik practiced her piano for one hour each day. When she was questioning about her intensity on the piano, she said, “I never play anything softly!” On her scholastic aptitude test she had perfect scores of 800. Donald Nutter her math teacher said, “I can still see this little brunette in socks and saddle shoes quiet as a mouse. If you had a question no one could answer you could call on her.” At Akron Firestone High School Judith (Judy) Resnik was a member of the math club, the chemistry club, the French club and a member of the honor Society. She was accepted to the Juilliard School of Music, but decided to study mathematics at Carnegie Mellon Institute of Technology. She was chosen from over 8000 applicants to be an astronaut at NASA.
Click below for Madeline’s Musical One Minute Radio Show for November 2008.
How long did Judith Resnik practice her piano each day and what were her SAT scores?
https://madelinefrankviola.com/madelines-one-minute-radio-show/
University:
Judith Resnik earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970 from Carnegie-Mellon. After graduation she worked for RCA Corporation in Morristown, New Jersey “for the Navy building custom integrated circuitry for the phased-array radar control systems and later developed electronics and software for NASA’s sounding rocket and telemetry systems programs.” She wrote an academic paper on “special purpose integrated circuitry” which “caught the attention of NASA.” (Women Spacefarers: Sixty Different Paths by Umberto Cavallaro, Springer 2017, page 29)
From 1974-1977, she worked at the Laboratory of Neurophysiology at the National Institute of Health as a research fellow in biomedical engineering while she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Maryland. “As a biomedical engineer, Resnik researched the physiology of visual systems studying the properties of rhodopsin, a chemical required for night vision, in eyes.”
Judith Resnik in 1977 she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Maryland in electrical engineering with honors. She wrote her dissertation on “Bleaching kinetics of visual pigments”. Her research “involved the effects of electrical currents on the retina.” She co-wrote an academic paper on “the biomedical engineering in optometry. In 1978, the Journal of Optical Society of America published “A novel rapid scanning microspectrophotometer and its use in measuring rhodopsin photoproduct pathways and kinetics in frog retinas”. Wikipedia Judith Resnik
Professional Aircraft Pilot:
Judith Resnik in 1977, “qualified as a professional aircraft pilot while completing her Ph.D., having achieved near perfect scores in her flying exams (two 100s and a 98).” Women in Space: 23 Stories of First Flights, Scientific Missions, and Gravity-Breaking Adventures, Karen Gibson (Chicago Review Press, 2014, page 94.
After earning her Ph.D., she worked for Xerox Corporation in Los Angeles, California in product development as a senior system engineer. This is where she “first read about and applied for a job as an Astronaut with NASA.”
NASA: Dr. Judith, Judy, Resnik was chosen over 8,000 applicants to be an Astronaut at NASA.
In August 1978, Dr. Resnik completed her one-year training as an astronaut.”
“After joining NASA, she piloted the Northrop T-38 Talon. Astronaut Jerome Apt described her as “an excellent pilot and a superb operator in space”. (Judy Resnik: Family, Friends Remember Engineer Who Reached for the Stars”, March 1, 2011, by Chriss Swaney. Carnegie Mellon University, The Piper.)
In space her first assignment on “the maiden voyage of the shuttle “Discovery” on August 30, 1984, she was “a mission specialist” working on the Orbiter development software, training techniques, and Remote Manipulator System.” (Frank, 1997, p.13).”
Dr. Resnik “focused on all the systems astronauts were required to know, and paid particular attention to robotic arm operations, as well as the deployment of orbiting experiments and solar array systems. Her work on the ground focused on tethered satellite systems, spacecraft manual control systems, and software applications for the remote manipulator systems.” (Thoughtco.com/Judith-Resnik)
She developed “software for experiments, training techniques and the Remote Manipulator System – equipment which was used to remove hazardous ice from the wings of the orbiter.” Dr. Resnik on the “Discovery” mission logged in 144 hours and 57 minutes in space (Frank, 1997, p.13).”
“Resnik flew her second and final mission on the shuttle Challenger as a flight engineer and backup pilot to the Commander. All aboard the Challenger were lost shortly after launch.”
Judith Resnik, Ph.D., “ten days before the Challenger disaster took time out from a hectic, pre-launch work schedule to write a brief, handwritten note of encouragement to a NASA colleague’s young niece. She ended the note with the following advice: “Study hard in school — it’s really worth it! When you’re older, you’ll be able to do anything you want if you get a good education.”
“Her Father, Dr. Marvin Resnik, OD, a Doctor of Optometry said to a reporter, “She always did her homework. [Judy would say] the luckiest people are the ones who work the hardest.”
When asked to speak about Judith and her life, one of Judith’s close friends said, “What Judith’s life said again and again was that to work to excel at what you love is one of life’s rare, deep pleasures. You must use your talents, do your best and do it now. Time does not wait; do not spend it on wishing.” (Thoughtco.com/Judith-Resnik)
“Dr. Resnik loved learning, both the indirect kind available through books and formal classroom instruction and the direct kind that can be acquired only through firsthand experience. She pursued both with dedication and conviction.” “The director of NASA said that Judy was an astronaut’s astronaut. She did everything right.” (Thoughtco.com/Judith-Resnik)
Dr. Judith Resnik was a long-time member of the Society of Women Engineers, SWE.
In 1990, The Judith Resnik Memorial Award was established in her memory by the Society of Women Engineers, “to women students pursuing aerospace or astronautical engineering degrees.”
Dr. Judith, Judy, Resnik’s was an American Astronaut, Electrical Engineer, Software engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Pilot, and musician. She was the second woman in space. She died on January 28, 1986 at age 36.
Building Your Solid Foundation for Success by Madeline Frank, Ph.D.
Many years ago, my husband and I purchased a beautiful 2 story home with white shutters, and 4 colonial columns adorned the front of the house.This home was built in 1974 had lush greenery surrounding the drive, and was accented with a lake off the backyard. It was in one of the most sought after neighborhoods in Virginia.
This home was not only aesthetically beautiful, but it was going to be the place where we were going to raise our children and create fantastic memories. My family owned a construction company for years, and my husband and I realized that we needed to take care of several issues with the home, but it was going to suit us well.
We bid accordingly, and the sellers accepted our offer.
The outside looked lovely and well maintained. As we walked down the hall, we noticed the floor of the house was not level. As we continued through the kitchen we noticed the floor shifting down slightly. If you dropped a ping pong ball at the refrigerator, the ball would accelerate until it came to rest in the corner of the kitchen.
On the second floor, the closet and bedroom doors didn’t work smoothly. There were also several cracks in the walls and doorways. I knew this all pointed to one problem…the foundation.
As we were descending into the damp crawlspace under the home with one of the contractors we were interviewing to repair our foundation, with flashlights in hand and sweat dripping under our hard hats, we recognized the severity of the issues. Many of the posts that were under the support beams were too short and rotted.
Essentially, our house didn’t have the strong bones necessary to hold itself up. If we didn’t take action quickly, our house would be degraded beyond repair. The work that needed to be done wasn’t a beautiful new mantle we could show off to visitors…it was in the bowels of the home.
The company we hired let us know that the repair process would include a bit of short term pain. It would be messy, loud, and expensive…but in the end, our home would be able to withstand the test of time. The company cleaned out all of the bad items that had been there for decades.
One crisp October morning, four strapping young men who looked like body builders worked for five full days rebuilding the foundation. All with the goal of creating the right support necessary to last long after we are gone.
Every day as we walked across floors we felt them becoming more level..
Each step of the way we checked the work with our outside expert to see if we could feel the changes in the structure by walking across the floors and checking under the house each day. You could feel the floor rising and evening out. The doors to the closets and bedroom were now easy to open.
It took 5 days to replace the foundation of our 45-year-old house. The parallel between our broken foundation and the foundation of American government is striking. The work reminds me of our sagging government.
On April 30, 2025 it was President Trump 100th day of office. He gave the Commencement speech for the graduating students at the University of Alabama
President Trump said, “that the University of Alabama’s spring graduating class is the first of “the Golden Age of America,” .. the students could become “the greatest generation” of Americans.”
“You’ve done a lot of winning. Winning is a good thing to do,” Trump told the class of 2025 at the university known for its powerhouse athletic programs. “But today I’m also asking you to look forward to something very, very bright and more promising.”
President Trump shared with graduates what he and his team have accomplished in 100 days. Whether it was closing the invasion at our Southern border, protecting women’s sports, rebuilding the military, or repairing the morale of various law enforcement organizations which had been prevented from keeping their communities safe; America was back.
The President was introduced by legendary former Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban. Trump’s address marks the first time in 18 years that the University of Alabama has brought in a commencement speaker for graduation festivities.
The commencement address was not a mere campaign speech. He shared stories, life lessons, and wisdom from others. He spoke about the importance of Common sense.
“President Trump offered almost a dozen pieces of life advice during his Thursday evening commencement speech to graduating students at the University of Alabama.” He inspired and motivated his audience to build and develop themselves and others to help develop and strengthen their country!
President Trump “ suggested to the students not to waste their youth, because success can come at a very young age. “I was 28 when I took my first big gamble to develop a hotel in midtown Manhattan, the Grand Hyatt, and it worked out incredibly well. But I was very young at the time. I was like a very young person in sort of an old-person business.” He also recounted other successful people in business and politics, including Steve Jobs, who founded Apple at age 21, and Walt Disney who founded Disney at age 21.
“James Madison, James Monroe, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, they were no older than 25 when they began the journeys that etched their names into the history books for all time,” he said. “So, to everyone here today, don’t waste your youth. Go out and fight right from the beginning from the day you leave this incredible university.”
“I know a lot of people that thought small. They’re very smart. I know others that weren’t nearly as smart, but they had a better picture of the big picture, because it’s just as hard to solve a small problem as a big problem, and it’s just as much energy and everything else except the result is going to be a smaller one.”
However, President Trump cautioned the 2025 graduating class not to lose their momentum.
He told the sad tale of a fellow real estate developer, William Levitt, who became successful and decided to retire too early, sell his business, but later went bankrupt.
He recounted talking to Mr. Levitt at a party about what had happened to him.
“I went over and talked to him, and I said, How are you? He goes, ‘Donald, I’m not well.’”
“I said, ‘so can you come back?’ He said, ‘No, son, I lost my momentum. I shouldn’t have done it. I lost my momentum.’ And I never forgot that expression. He lost his momentum. If he would have kept going instead of selling and relaxing, he probably would have been three times bigger than he was, but he lost his momentum,” the president concluded.
“Other pieces of advice President Trump gave the class of 2025 University of Alabama students were: have the courage to be an outsider, trust your instincts, think of yourself as a winner, be an original, and never give up.”
President Trump shared life lessons through true stories, common sense, doing the right thing, asking questions, and learning from others. He also said be a builder and developer.
If you could talk to the 23 year old version of you, what would you say?
Have you let the doldrums of life snuff out the sparks of passions and ideas in your world? You are never too old to reignite them. Embrace the uncomfortable, and get in touch with the 23 year old version of you with their whole lives ahead of them. You do have your whole life ahead. Make it count. © 2025 Madeline Frank
If you need a speaker/ video speaker contact Madeline at: [email protected]
Dr. Madeline Frank’s book “Leadership on a Shoestring Budget: Timeless Principles for Everyday Use, helps businesses stay afloat in times of trouble. She calls her innovative observations, Tuning Up Your Business. For over 25 years she has helped countless people create their great image brand, and communication style that makes them irresistible. Click on the following Amazon.com link to order your copy of “Leadership On A Shoestring Budget”
“The Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music” shares scientific evidence, medical evidence, test results, and true stories of the world’s scientists, medical doctors, and mathematicians who have studied and played musical instruments since they were children by Madeline Frank, Ph.D. Click below:
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“Madeline’s Midnight Melodies- Music From around the World”. This CD complements her books with a blend of dance music, gigues, tangos, ballet and favorites including “Danny Boy”, Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro”, Debussy’s “Claire De Lune” and others. “Madeline’s Midnight Melodies” CD is now available for purchase by downloading a song, downloading the album click below:
“Musical Notes On Math” by Dr. Madeline Frank teaches your child fractions and decimals, the fun easy way, through the rhythm of music, Winner of the Parent To Parent Adding Wisdom Award is available in book form, newly updated as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, or iBook.:
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Wishing you and your family a happy Father’s Day from Your Non-Invasive Medicine Music Expert, Madeline
For over 30 years, Dr. Madeline Frank has helped children and adults overcome problems through Classical music. Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an award-winning teacher, author, researcher, speaker, conductor, and concert artist. She has discovered a scientific link between studying a musical instrument and academic and societal success. Madeline Frank earned her Bachelor and Master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. Her education has included scholarships at the Juilliard School, Indiana University, and the University of Cincinnati and she has a violin performance diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts. (C) 2025 Madeline Frank