The 2021 SPIE Women in Optics Planner
An annual offering from SPIE since 2005 – and a well-respected linchpin of the organization’s Women in Optics program – the SPIE Women in Optics planner was created to inspire and educate young girls and women, inviting them to consider careers in optics, photonics, and other STEM areas. Showcasing a vibrant cohort of women scientists, engineers, researchers, and industry leaders, the engaging and informative SPIE Women in Optics planner is available at no cost to science teachers, educators, career counselors, community clubs, students, and the general public.
Sign in to download the complete 2021 Women in Optics planner in either our 8.5"x11" format or A4 format, designed to be printed on your home printer. Or place your order for your free physical copy here.
Help us find the next cohort of women to be in our 2022 planner. Nominations are due 1 March 2021 – or nominate yourself! Use the nomination form here.
|
Each profile includes insight into the professionals’ career trajectories, their challenges and successes. Every person included in the SPIE planner offers a dynamic role model for other women and girls interested in STEM fields; together they serve as exciting examples of the myriad opportunities available in science and science-related professions.
“I have always had a curiosity about the world around me, such as rainbows, or oil patterns on the road,” notes Fatima Gunning, a senior staff researcher and head of graduate studies and co-founder of the Photonics Systems Group at University College Cork’s Tyndall National Institute. “I always wished to become an engineer,” says Amna Riaz, an engineering science PhD student at the University of Oxford. “I heard a lot about how interesting engineering life was and how engineering skills could transform you into an independent risk-taker.”
Whether they’ve been inspired into their varied careers by the inner workings of mechanical household devices, a picture of the first person in space, science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, or simply by a “curiosity to know the unknown,” these women are among 24 scientists, industry CEOs, product and sales engineers, research scientists, and technologists whose work and words are featured in Women Making A Difference in the Fields of Science, Optics, and Engineering, the 2021 Women in Optics calendar from SPIE.
Together they represent a rich range of global organizations and institutions, from the Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems at Italy’s National Research Council, NASA, and the California Institute of Technology, to businesses such as Mentor Graphics and Energetiq Technology, and an extensive spectrum of international universities. The women’s profiles cover aspects of their innovative work as well as a plethora of professional interests which include facilitating the interface of academics and industry, a focus on science communications, and an emphasis on the support of peers, colleagues and mentees.
Or, as Jess Wade, research fellow at Imperial College London and advocate extraordinaire says in her introduction, “This planner highlights some of the women who are making the world a better place. Women who are at the forefront of their disciplines, women who are making extraordinary discoveries, women who are using their platforms to elevate others.”
Meet the participants
 |
"A career in STEM may be challenging in many ways, but it is also rewarding. You will have the opportunity to interact with excellent scientists, engage in wonderful discoveries, and provide solutions to global challenges. To young women considering this career, I say, go for your dreams. Never give up on exploring more. The opportunities will appear as you pursue your dream." – SPIE Member Humeyra Caglayan |
 |
"I wish I had been told at an earlier age to select the most ambitious goals in any research activity I was involved in. And now I would tell other young women that in STEM, the scientific method can in part mitigate gender prejudice. Scientific evidence is a tool that can avoid the prejudices that lead to an artificial ranking among ideas of men and women." – Stefania Campopiano |
 |
"A STEM career is an exciting and rewarding field. There is a rush that comes with being on the front lines of technology and combining your creativity and imagination with your capacity to analyze hard data. Plus, the more young women who enter the field each generation, the more women populate the STEM workforce, and injecting more women into a predominately male field creates synergy and energizes the workforce." – Jacqueline Davis |
 |
"We are all constantly learning, and we should never be afraid to admit that we do not have all of the answers. Successful people are not those who know everything and never make mistakes; they are those that have the humility to ask both the stupid and the difficult questions, and that have the courage of sharing with others what they have learned from their mistakes." – Sara Diegoli |
 |
"I would also advise young women to not be afraid of obstacles in their career, always believe in themselves. Try to work in a united group, where everyone helps each other, but also find time to have fun. Take time to share scientific activities among young people; you could inspire a new generation of scientists." – Maria Antonietta Ferrara |
 |
"Be strong and persistent, engage with mentors (connect with those who you have common values, even if via social media!) and follow your passion. There will always be barriers, and a good mentor would always support you in breaking these barriers. STEM is fun and exciting. STEM research has shaped the world we live in today." – Fatima Gunning |
 |
"Young women interested in science, you are smart enough for STEM! There will be times when you will think, 'They picked the wrong person for this work,' or 'I don’t think I’m qualified for this project,' but it’s not true! I suggest finding other women in STEM to connect with so that you can help support each other." – Jacqueline Gunther |
 |
"I wish I had been told that the more you learn, the more you realize how much is left to learn. But I would tell young women now, who are interested in a career in science, don’t be afraid to tinker with things and try out your ideas." – SPIE Member Ruchi Gupta |
 |
"Don’t be afraid to let people know your goals and aspirations. I LOVE my job! Technology is constantly changing, and this makes the job challenging and exciting. A career in STEM allows you a career of learning and this ensures that you won’t be bored with your job. It is ok (even fun) to be the trailblazer and make the path easier for the next generation of women!" – SPIE Senior Member Debbie Gustafson |
 |
"Identify role models in your field – others that you can identify with on a personal level, and especially those who encourage women and minorities to take on leadership roles in STEM. – SPIE Early Career Member Keri Hoadley |
 |
"I want girls to know that the only permanent thing in life is your identity, so please work towards building that. Follow your dreams, and don’t rest until you achieve them. Do not get scared of challenges; remember the diamond is a piece of coal that could handle stress exceptionally well." – SPIE Student Member Preeti Jagadev |
 |
"Work hard, but also take care of your well-being. By this I mean: work hard, study a lot, eat well, exercise, sleep well, have some free time, be efficient! Great, innovative ideas come suddenly when one is relaxed doing what one enjoys (pre-requisite: be prepared, study a lot). This advice applies to any person looking for a career in STEM, since in the context of science, men and women are equally capable." – Karina Jiménez García |
 |
"Looking back, I wish that I had been advised on how to face my fears and grow with them. The more opportunities I get, the more uncertainties and fears I encounter. I used to think that successful people never experience fear and they were born brave. Yet the truth is they face fears, acknowledge fears, grow with fears, and keep pushing through." – Jiawen Li |
 |
"Although some people might argue it’s hard to find work-life balance when you have kids. I’m a scientist and I’m also a mother. I would say female scientists are very productive in many ways: we could give birth not only to a baby, but also to research! In my point of view, we have our own special power which makes us unique in STEM." – SPIE Early Career Member Yu-Jung Lu |
 |
"A career in STEM is a very worthwhile profession, where the results can be incredibly satisfying. Women are more likely to receive negative criticism in science: take it seriously, but not personally! If there is truth or merit, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you." – Areti Mourka |
 |
"I would tell young girls or women who are considering a career in STEM that they need to have perseverance. And they need to be intrigued by their work: I am very motivated by the field of optics and photonics and I look for ways to gain more experience, like reviewing articles. And finally, it is important that they do not give up!" – SPIE Student Member Nasrin Razmjooei |
 |
"Pursue the careers you want in STEM and pursue your dreams despite what anyone else says or thinks; be an inspiration. My advice is don’t give up. You need to believe that your dreams are realistic and possible. Only compare yourself to you last week, or last month, or last year. If you are learning and getting better, celebrate." – Amna Riaz |
 |
"No one is more and no one is less. Work hard, break the shell and come out, organize yourself, do things daily in smaller chunks that you find hard and want to be good at. It will soon become your habit and you will sail through them smoothly and swiftly." – Mirwat Shamshad |
 |
"Good communication and presentation skills are necessary in an industrial environment. Pick up a book on business management. Regardless of your career goals, it helps to understand the role you play, recognize your colleagues’ personalities, and achieve harmonious working relationships. – SPIE Member Yi Sun |
 |
"If you are considering a career, choose the one that calls you the most. Do not be afraid. Find your own path and remember that you are not a project - you area process. STEM strengthens women, and the world needs women in STEM." – Anna Szkulmowska |
 |
"You might still find that the world of STEM is largely male due to historical reasons. But what will catapult us ahead and bring awesome innovation into our lives is the coming mix of boys and girls from all kinds of backgrounds working together unlike ever before. And whilst we are transitioning into this new STEM world, help other girls and women around you if you see them struggle. We can achieve so much more if we approach problems together, as humans." – Kristina Tamane |
 |
"To young women interested in science I highly recommend a career in STEM because your work will always be interesting and will evolve with the advancement of technology. In practical terms, I would advise these three things: work on projects that have impact, voice your opinions, and always advocate for yourself." – SPIE Member Edita Tejnil |
 |
"So bring your full talents to the table and don’t worry if they don’t exactly match those you see in those around you. If you have a genuine interest in a STEM career, then you bring your unique background to the field - a diversity in experiences and backgrounds only benefits the field. Your spin may be the one needed to make a substantial difference." – SPIE Member Gracie Vargas |
 |
"I would tell young women and girls who are curious about a career in STEM to follow your interest. The difficulties you might face are no less challenging for your male colleagues: we can deal with them as well as they do." – Hui Zhou |
| Enjoy this article? Get similar news in your inbox |
|
