Arizona Republic From the moment she was born in 1970, Sian Proctor was exposed to the highest levels of scientific research and exploration. It was all thanks to her dad. Edward Langley Proctor Jr. was a senior computer engineering technician for NASA's Apollo space program on the Pacific island of Guam from 1966 to 1970. With her father as her role model and early encouragement from both of her parents, including her mother Gloria, it was no surprise that Proctor grew up with a passion for all types of science. The STEM fields, however, were not exactly welcoming to women at the time, much less women of color. But with the tenacity instilled in her by her parents, Proctor did not turn away.