IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine - December 2023 - 44

their fellow students. " When I first
started the MIT EECS Ph.D. program,
I participated in the New Women in
EECS seminar, where I made some of my
closest friends in graduate school, "
shares Aziza Almanakly, a graduate
research fellow within MIT's Engineering
Quantum Systems group. " Back
then, we were isolating because of the
pandemic, but this seminar helped me
feel close to my new community, even
though we sat six feet apart. " Almanakly
is one of many who have chosen
to " pay it forward, " mentoring younger
researchers on her team and serving in
a role as a recitation instructor for an
online class aimed at high schoolers so
that she can welcome the next generation
of EECS researchers.
Ozdaglar stresses that the Thriving
Stars community hopes to reach as
broadly as possible, inviting all genders
and underrepresented minorities into
the " Thriving Stars galaxy. " " Because
our goal is to support all members of
our Ph.D. program, when we create a
more supportive community, everyone
will benefit, " shares Ozdaglar.
On a personal level, an initiative like
Thriving Stars is something Ozdaglar
says would have benefitted her " hugely "
when she was a graduate student in MIT's
EECS program. She came to the school
from Turkey for her degree and recalls
there being very few women in the lab
during her studies. Fortunately, another
female graduate student eventually
joined her research group and the camaraderie
of their shared experience was
monumental for her. " I remember the
confidence it gave me to have a partner, "
says Ozdaglar. " We would scribble 'we
can do this!' notes to each other. It makes
a long journey much more pleasant. "
When she joined the faculty, she was
the only woman in her lab for many
years and now, as the first woman to
lead EECS, she carries a big responsibility
as a role model. " I realize the tremendous
impact that my role could have
on the paths and confidence of a lot of
women, " she shares. " I try to do a good
job demonstrating to others that I have
always followed my dreams, so people
should know that doing so can create
opportunities for you. "
As for those who are still hesitating
to pursue their Ph.D. degree in engineering,
Ozdaglar advises them to talk
to people who have done it and learn
about whether the path could be right
for them. " I feel strongly that as much
as a Ph.D. is a long experience, it can
be very fun. It's a way to innovate, to
explore, and to become an expert in
what you do, " she says.
She advocates again for reaching out
We want
to hear
from you!
to others, sharing her own experience
where creating a community strengthens
the ability to achieve a goal. " With
the Thriving Stars initiative, having so
many people work together was key, "
says Ozdaglar. " Leslie was a force in
pushing this program, our advisory
board was incredibly engaged every step
of the way, and the support we see from
our MIT leadership makes a big difference.
So I just want to thank them all;
I'm very grateful for their partnership. "
The feelings are mutual, with MIT
Do you like what you're reading?
Your feedback is important.
Let us know-send the editor-in-chief an e-mail!
leadership sharing how proud the school
is of the team's work. " It has truly been
inspiring to see the impact Thriving
Stars has already had on the electrical
engineering and computer science
community at MIT, " says Anantha Chandrakasan,
dean of the School of Engineering,
and Vannevar Bush, professor
of EECS. " We are seeing, in real time,
the difference that mentorship, a supportive
community, networking, and
increased visibility can have on gender
diversity at the graduate level. "
Although the goal for female participation
in the Ph.D. program may be
quantifiable, the continued impact of a
program like Thriving Stars is likely to
be immeasurable-and limitless.
-Leslie Zucker
44
IEEE WOMEN IN ENGINEERING MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2023
IMAGE LICENSED BY GRAPHIC STOCK
IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine - December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine - December 2023
