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This year for Women's History Month, we're celebrating women that are making history in nanotechnology by recognizing 31 of the many amazing scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs, along with their achievements. Keep the conversation going by highlighting your favorite women nanoscientists using #WomeninNano!
March 31, 2019 - Nicole Steinmetz
Professor Nicole Steinmetz of UCSD uses plant viruses to make new materials to treat cancer! Learn more about her research here and watch a video of her talking about nanotechnology here.
March 30, 2019 - Emily Weiss
Professor Emily Weiss of Northwestern University studies interfacial charge transfer between quantum dots and organic molecules! Learn more about her research here.
March 29, 2019 - LaShanda Korley
Professor LaShanda Korley of University of Delaware takes inspiration from nature to develop mechanically enhanced and tunable materials! Learn more about her research here and hear her talk about the promise of nanotechnology here.
March 28, 2019 - Christie Sayes
Professor Christie Sayes of Baylor University studies the human and environmental health effects of engineered materials. Her group specializes in characterizing the physical, chemical, and biological properties of nanoparticles in simulated intentional and unintentional exposure scenarios. Learn more about her research here.
March 27, 2019 - Evelyn Hu
Professor Evelyn Hu of Harvard University studies optical and electronic behavior of nanomaterials and creates new materials from composites of different types of nanoparticles. Learn more about her research here.
March 26, 2019 - Christina Lomasney
Dr. Christina Lomasney is the CEO and co-Founder of Modumetal Inc. She works on nanolaminated alloys that could replace conventional metals and composites in transportation and construction applications. Listen to the advice she has for young entrepreneurs here.
March 25, 2019 - Rebecca Klaper
Professor Rebecca Klaper of University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee studies the potential impacts of nanomaterials on the environment, including freshwater organisms. Learn more about her research on her research website and this article. And listen to her talk about her research here.
March 24, 2019 - Jill Millstone
Professor Jill Millstone of University of Pittsburgh works on synthetically controlling nanoparticle surface architecture to develop nanoparticles that could have applications in fields ranging from catalysis to medicine. Learn more about her research here.
March 23, 2019 - Caroline Ross
Professor Caroline Ross of MIT studies the magnetic properties of thin films and nanostructures for applications in data storage and logic applications, and creates nanoscale structures using directed self-assembly and lithography. Learn more about her research here.
March 22, 2019 - Stacey Harper
Professor Stacey Harper is developing new methods to determine whether a particular nanomaterial will be hazardous or not. These methods predict potential toxicity based on specific nanomaterial features. Learn more about Stacey’s research here.
March 21, 2019 - Angela Belcher
Professor Angela Belcher is inspired by nature to design new materials for energy, the environment, and medicine. By harnessing nature’s own processes, her group designs and develops new technologically significant materials. Learn more about her research here and watch a video on her work here.
March 20, 2019 - Alison Elder
Dr. Alison Elder studies the short and long term effects of human exposure to engineered metal oxide nanomaterials via different routes including skin contact, ingestion, and inhalation. Learn more about Alison’s work here.
March 20, 2019 - Naomi Halas
Prof. Naomi Halas of Rice University is known for her work on nanoengineered photonic and plasmonic materials. She creates new plasmonic materials for applications ranging from cancer imaging to photovoltaics. Learn more about her research here and watch a video about the real-life applications of Naomi’s research here.
March 18, 2019 - Theresa Mayer
Dr. Theresa Mayer is the Vice President of Research and Innovation at Virginia Tech. She has made important contributions to the field of nanoelectronics throughout her career, and her work has led to a number of patents. Learn more about Theresa here and hear her talk about nanotechnology-enabled gadgets here!
March 17, 2019 - Christine Ho
Dr. Christine Ho is the Founder and CEO of Imprint Energy. She developed and commercialized ultrathin, flexible, and printable batteries for applications such as sensors, wearables, and displays. Learn more about Christine’s story here.
March 16, 2019 - Angelique Johnson
Dr. Angelique Johnson is using nanotechnology to develop implantable neural devices that can enhance the lives of people with Parkinson’s, chronic pain, or hearing loss. Learn more about Angelique’s work here.
March 15, 2019 – Zhenan Bao
Prof. Zhenan Bao of Stanford University uses nanotechnology and a multidisciplinary approach to develop flexible, stretchable electronics that can be used in a wide variety of novel applications, including as artificial skin. Learn more about her research here and watch a video on one of her projects here.
March 14, 2019 – Theresa Dankovich
Dr. Theresa Dankovich developed and commercialized a paper filter with embedded silver nanoparticles. This simple paper filter removes bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens from water, making it possible for people all over the world to have access to clean drinking water at an affordable price. Learn more about Theresa and her technology here and hear Theresa talk about her journey from research scientist to entrepreneur here.
March 13, 2019 – Arpana Verma
Dr. Arpana Verma has several years of experience in the lubricant manufacturing industry. She is the Chief Science Officer of NanoMech, a company founded on a lubricant technology platform that Dr. Verma co-invented. Learn more about Arpana on the NanoMech Leadership webpage and from a Q&A profile about her published by the Edison Awards.
March 12, 2019 – Michelle Bradbury
Prof. Michelle Bradbury is the Director of Intraoperative Imaging and Professor of Radiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In her lab, she develops, characterizes, and evaluates silica nanoparticles that can target tumors and act as probes for diagnostics, drug delivery, and sensing. Learn more about Michelle’s research here and watch her talk about nanomedicine here.
March 11, 2019 – Marcie Black
Today for Women’s History Month, we’re honoring entrepreneur Dr. Marcie Black of Advanced Silicon Group for her work on nano-structured silicon. These materials have potential application in photovoltaics, lithium-ion batteries, and sensors! Listen to Marcie talk about the technologies she’s developed here.
March 10, 2019 – Paula Hammond
Prof. Paula Hammond uses nanotechnology for biomedical applications. She makes thin-film coatings for biomedical implants to help improve the healing process and develops nanoparticle drug carriers for cancer treatment. Learn about Paula’s research here and watch her talk about methods of fighting cancer here.
March 9, 2019 – Mary Ann Meador
Dr. Mary Ann Meador is a senior scientist in the Materials and Structures Division at NASA Glenn Research Center. She synthesizes new types of low-density solids with nano-sized pores, called aerogels, which can be used for aerospace applications. Learn more about her research here.
March 8, 2019 – Qilin Li
Prof. Qilin Li works to develop new methods of water treatment and to understand the environmental fate and transport of nanomaterials. Learn more about Qilin’s research here and watch her talk about it here.
March 7, 2019 – Saniya LeBlanc
Prof. Saniya LeBlanc was recently named to the “Early Risers: 20 High-Achieving Researchers and Educators Under 40” list. Her research enables nanomaterials integration by bridging the divide between rapid, inexpensive manufacturing of nanostructures and device integration of nanoengineered components. Learn more about Saniya and her research here and watch her describe nanotechnology here.
March 6, 2019 – Sharon Glotzer
As a “digital alchemist”, Prof. Sharon Glotzer has developed hybrid multiscale simulation methods to model complex systems, including those on the nanoscale. Learn more about Sharon here and watch her talk about shapeshifting nanoparticles here.
March 5, 2019 – Mia Siochi
Dr. Mia Siochi has developed some amazing materials, including lightweight nanotech coatings, bug-repellent coatings, and self-repairing materials. Learn more about Mia’s work here and watch her discuss one of her research projects here.
March 4, 2019 – Isabel Escobar
Prof. Isabel Escobar uses nanotechnology to clean the world’s water! She’s developing novel polymeric membrane materials for water treatment and water reuse. Learn more about Isabel’s research here and watch her talk about sustainable water treatment here.
March 3, 2019 – Sangeeta Bhatia
Prof. Sangeeta Bhatia leverages nanotechnology to interface living and synthetic systems to detect and monitor disease within the human body! Her work has enabled applications in tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and medical diagnostics. Check out her research here and watch her talk about nanomedicine here.
March 2, 2019 – Julia Greer
Prof. Julia Greer designs gorgeous nano-architected materials with fascinating properties. Check out her research here and watch her talk about the materials she’s developed here.
March 1, 2019 – Millie Dresselhaus
Prof. Millie Dresselhaus was the “Queen of Carbon!” She had a nearly 60-year career at MIT and was the recipient of numerous awards. Throughout her career, she also held a number of impressive positions outside of academia, including Director of DOE’s Office of Science, President of the American Physical Society, President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (the first woman to serve in that role), and Treasurer of the National Academy of Sciences. Perhaps most importantly, Millie served as a mentor to many young women scientists and as an inspiration to even more. Hear a former student, Dr. Marcie Black, reflect on Millie’s mentorship here.
