Susan Francia

Zsuzsanna "Susan" Francia (; born November 8, 1982) is a Hungarian-American two time Olympic gold medalist rower. Growing up in Abington, Pennsylvania, she attended Abington Senior High School, followed by the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 2004 with bachelor's and a master's degrees in Criminology and Sociology. She currently resides in Princeton, New Jersey, and is affiliated with the US Rowing Training Center.
Francia is the daughter of Hungarian biochemist and renowned mRNA researcher Katalin Karikó. She is fluent in Hungarian.
Rowing career.
Francia began rowing as a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania in 2001. She was a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Division I All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in 2004. Since graduating, she has served nine years as a U.S. National Team member and won a Gold Medal with the 2012 Olympic Team in London, England, and the 2008 Olympic Team in Beijing, China.
Francia won the Remenham Cup Remenham Challenge Cup at the 2011 and 2006 Henley Royal Regatta. At the FISA World Rowing Championships in 2006, Francia won the gold medal in the women's eight with a new world's best time of 5:55.50.
In addition to her international accomplishments, Francia has also had much domestic success. She won the second National Selection Regatta in the pair in 2011, and all three National Selection Regattas in 2010. She finished second in the pair at the second 2008 National Selection Regatta. She won the championship eight at the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2012 Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts Won the eight and finished third in the pair at the 2007 US Rowing National Championships. Won the double sculls at the second 2006 National Selection Regatta and finished second in the four at the 2004 U.S. National Team Trials.
Coaching.
Francia has been an assistant coach for UCSD Women's Rowing team for the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons. In addition, she was formerly the head coach of the Junior Women's Varsity Rowing team at the San Diego Rowing Club.