CTO & co-founder of Medialpha

23 Aug 2017

How/why did you get into a STEM field? I wasn't born in North America, so I was never told growing up that women "are not good at math". So I was good at math and all the science disciplines. My father was an engineer, my aunts and uncles were engineers, most of my cousins are engineers, so my sister and I became engineers. You have to keep family traditions alive!

STEM fields often change – or disrupt – the way we do things.  Can you say how your field or what you do has an influence on advancing the industry? Medialpha Laboratories is a mix of service and software company. We have automated a currently manual process which disrupts the established business model of the industry. I am very proud of our achievements and we are hoping to impose a new standard of doing diagnostic tests at people's homes.

Have you encountered challenges being in a traditionally male dominated industry/field, and how did you overcome it, or go about it? Of course, I am one of very rare female computer engineers to have used my official OIQ stamp. At first, I always have to prove my worth when I meet new men in the industry. This being said, I find most men are happy to be working with women in the tech world, I never had problems in a team environment.

Words of advice or encouragement? If you like it, you will make it. 

Anything else you would like to add? I believe that there are too many stereotypes about men and women, which forces people to choose a profession for life. Don't be afraid to choose your own path, times are changing and trends follow.

Professional in Healthcare Innovation Development and Personalized Medicine

14 Aug 2017

How/why did you get into a STEM field? I always had within me the passion to change the world through health care and medicine.

STEM fields often change – or disrupt – the way we do things. Can you say how your field or what you do has an influence on advancing the industry? The healthcare revolution is here the transition from "sick-care" to "Healthcare" and from inefficient drugs (~20% efficiency) to efficient drugs. Our company PXM (Precision X Med)’s mission is to accelerate the healthcare transition and promote intelligent, accurate and personalized medicine into practice.

Have you encountered challenges being in a traditionally male dominated industry/field, and how did you overcome it, or go about it? My grandmother got married in Yemen when she was 12 and my mother was not allowed to study before marriage. But it did not stop her from becoming a biology teacher and to earn her first degree when she was 40. Inspired by the challenges of the women in my life and their actions to create their future, I could only follow by their example.

Words of advice or encouragement? Keep in mind: to accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.  Keep on dreaming, believing and striving to accomplish great things!

Anything else you would like to add? I believe in actions and creating our own opportunities.  "No industry or country can reach its full potential until women reach their full potential." Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, founder of LeanIn.Org