2023 opens a new chapter for each of us, and it’s fitting to frame the year with the inspiring stories of women who’ve forged their own paths to make a difference in our world through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). There have been bumps and challenges— and what many would describe as darkness— in our global community in recent times, but these problem-solvers, collaborators, and changemakers remind us that our future is full of light.
Take the time to soak in the full spectrum of their voices and journeys. Learn from their experiences of overcoming adversity and moving us forward. Harness their passion for creation and discovery.
May their narratives remind us to strive for equity, diversity, and inclusion in our classrooms, laboratories, conference rooms, and board rooms. May they inspire future generations of female pioneers in optics and photonics. And may they lead to many new, hopeful, and bright beginnings.
Jennifer Barton
Professor, University of Arizona
SPIE Fellow
2023 SPIE President-Elect
Associate Professor
PhD Student
Advisory Engineer
Member of Technical Staff R&D
Graduate Student
PhD Candidate
Head of Engineering and Special Projects
Business Development Director and Acting Sales & Marketing Director
Staff Optical Systems Engineer
PhD Student
PhD Student
Full Professor
Director of Engineering, Laser & Optics
Distinguished Product Engineer
Associate Professor (Senior Research Fellow)
Postdoctoral Associate
Technical Lead Manager
Associate Professor
Post-doctoral Researcher
Assistant Professor, Head of Laboratory of Optical Information Processing, Vice-Dean for Students Affairs
PhD Candidate
Research Fellow
Nominations for the 2025 notebook are open! Tell us who should be featured and why by 29 February 2024.