Last year, I wrote a blog on Women's History Month. I still have no answers to our most agonizing issues, but I know things are changing for the better – one girl at a time. So, for this year, in honour of International Women in Engineering Day, I want to highlight a few of the outstanding engineers around me who shape how I see life in engineering as a woman and all the professional and personal aspects that come with it. Names are displayed in alphabetical order.
Dr. Amy Wu
is not only smart, but she's also creative, organized, hardworking, fair, enthusiastic, polite, and sensible. I have been a teaching assistant for her MREN winter course twice now, and I'm sure it is one of the most enjoyable undergraduate courses at Queen's, thanks to her efforts. Amy is also a great mother and wife. I look up to her a lot and love all the chats we have, her awareness, and her interesting insights on academia, research, and motherhood.
Dr. Barbara da Silva
and I are part of a same research team, as well as fellow Brazilians at MME. The Queen's Engineering Society recently awarded her the Golden Apple award, and I was fascinated to learn how she structures her courses and makes an effort to give her students the best supervision and instruction. Barbara is also a dear friend and has a unique blend of honesty and sweetness in her speech. We have a lot in common, which always puts my heart at ease because she gives me the conviction that I, too, will reach my goals.
Jenny Lee
Jenny and I are PhD students at collaborating research groups within MME and Ingenuity Labs. Ask around, and people will tell you how she is one of the most talented human beings anyone has ever known. She is just as great at her engineering work as she is at baking, crocheting, cosplaying, building whatever you have in mind, using power tools, doing makeup, and being a friend. She is now in Japan for a Summer internship she was awarded through Mitacs. Jenny always makes me think about how you can be an engineer and care about (and be good at) other interests – and that's completely fine.
Dr. Melissa Greeff
is one of my PhD supervisors and a talented young mind. Some people are just born to do what they do, and that is the case for her. It is truly inspiring to witness her talk about engineering – fierce, cohesive, and straightforward. What I love the most about being advised by her is how she has a mind that just works! Whenever I need a better template or to improve text and I’m having a hard time, she delivers. Melissa is also my role model of an engineer who is competent and doesn't let it overshadow her own identity as a woman.
Stéphane Carvalho
Not only one of my dearest friends but also a soul sister. I have been following Stéphane's engineering journey from day one, and I can attest to her hard work, resilience, development, and intelligence. Above all, I admire her independence and self-commitment the most. She knows how to prioritize herself and her needs and still deliver great work. I miss being with her every day the most, but I gather a lot of strength just by watching her be a fantastic engineer, professor, speaker, and human being.