Who is Nadezhda Cherneshevsky from Red Mars and what is their importance?

Nadia Cherneshevsky is a Russian engineer, and an expert on cold weather construction. She is a short, round, capable woman who is not excitable, and who thinks clearly and logically much of the time. On Mars, she finds herself one of the key point persons for construction, as many seek her knowledge and wisdom. She also finds herself constantly bombarded by Maya and her love problems.