Women in Engineering
1. WIE Committee Structure and Member Introductions
| Role | Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Qiaowei Yuan | Tohoku Institute of Technology |
| Vice Chairs | Charlotte Blair | Ansys |
| María García Vigueras | National Institute of Applied Sciences INSA Rennes | |
| Fauziahanim Che Seman | Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia | |
| Zhizhang (David) Chen | Dalhousie University | |
| Secretaries | Lei Guo | Dalian University of Technology |
| Yuanfeng She | National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) | |
| Yuko Rikuta | Nihon Dengyo Kosaku Co., Ltd. | |
| Lizhao Song | University of Technology Sydney | |
| Members | Sayaka Matsukawa | National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology |
| Kamilia Binti Kamardin | Universiti Teknologi Malaysia | |
| Pornanong Pongpaibool | National Science and Technology Development Agency |
Message from the WIE Committee Chair – Qiaowei Yuan, Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology, Japan
The IEEE AP-S/URSI 2027 WIE (Women in Engineering) Session aims to highlight the achievements of female researchers and engineers active around the globe, while empowering and encouraging the next generation of young women to participate in STEM fields.
Marking only the second time this prestigious conference is held in Asia, a key highlight of this year's WIE session is its strong connection with the local community. On Thursday, June 24, 2027, we will host a special interactive program (click here to view PDF Program) connecting local high school students in Kyoto with researchers from all over the world.
The event will feature two main sessions:
- WIE Technical Special Session: Students will observe cutting-edge research presentations and experience the dynamic atmosphere of an international conference firsthand.
- WIE Reception & Next-Generation Exchange Session: This session includes presentations by high school students, insights into international STEM education experiences, and open networking between students, educators, and global researchers.
Through these activities, we seek not only to foster global academic exchange among experts, but also to provide local high school students and community members with a unique opportunity to explore future possibilities in science, technology, and engineering.
Message from WIE Committee Vice Chair - Charlotte Blair, Global Technical Support Leader, ANSYS, USA
Welcome to the IEEE AP-S/URSI 2027 Women in Engineering (WIE) Session! As Vice Chair, I am honored to join our global community in driving innovation, equity, and technical excellence.
Hosted in Kyoto, Japan—marking only the second time this prestigious conference visits Asia—our mission centers on celebrating the achievements of female researchers while empowering the next generation in STEM. Through world-class technical exchanges, mentorship, and local community outreach, we aim to build meaningful international connections, foster diversity in wireless engineering, and inspire young women to explore future possibilities in technology.
Whether you are presenting original research, networking with peers, or helping guide future leaders, we invite you to connect, collaborate, and shape an inclusive future for our field. We look forward to welcoming you to Kyoto!
Message from WIE Committee Vice Chair - María García Vigueras, Professor, National Institute of Applied Sciences INSA Rennes, France
I am very pleased to be part of the IEEE AP-S/URSI 2027 WIE Committee.
I am a researcher in electromagnetics and antenna engineering at INSA Rennes, France. My research focuses on antennas, electromagnetic surfaces, and the control of electromagnetic waves, with applications in wireless communications, sensing, and space systems.
For me, research is not only about developing new technologies, it is also about understanding our role as researchers in a changing society and promoting diversity. We have the opportunity to create new knowledge, but we also have a responsibility to ask how this knowledge can be useful and what kind of future we want to contribute to.
I wrote about this perspective in this article [The Place I Want to Be], published in the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine. In this column, I reflect on the place I would like to have as a researcher in today's world, and on the connection between scientific work, technology, society, and the human side of research. You can find more about my research and activities on my personal webpage.
I am particularly happy to contribute to the WIE activities in Kyoto and to meet the students taking part in the program. I hope that sharing our experiences can give them a more concrete idea of what it means to be a researcher and encourage them to find their own way in science and engineering.
Message from WIE Committee Vice Chair - Fauziahanim Che Seman, Professor, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Malaysia
It is a pleasure to be part of the IEEE AP-S/URSI 2027 Women in Engineering (WIE) Committee. To me, WIE is about creating a community where women can connect, support one another, share experiences, and feel encouraged to pursue their aspirations in engineering and technology.
The fields of antennas, propagation, electromagnetics, and wireless technologies are constantly evolving, and there are many exciting opportunities ahead. At the same time, having a supportive community, good mentors, meaningful connections, and opportunities to learn from one another can make a real difference, especially for students and young professionals as they build their careers.
As we prepare for AP-S/URSI 2027 in Kyoto, I hope WIE can provide a welcoming space for everyone to meet new people, exchange ideas, celebrate achievements, and build lasting connections across academia, industry, and the IEEE community.
I look forward to working together with the committee to create meaningful activities that inspire, encourage, and bring our community closer. Most importantly, I hope we can leave AP-S/URSI 2027 with not only new knowledge, but also new friendships, collaborations, and inspiration for the journey ahead.
Message from WIE Committee Vice Chair - Zhizhang (David) Chen, Distinguished Research Professor, Dalhousie University, Canada
I am honored and delighted to serve as Vice Chair of the IEEE AP-S/URSI 2027 Women in Engineering (WIE) Committee. This special session offers an important opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of women researchers, engineers, and educators worldwide, while encouraging and empowering the next generation of young women to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
I am particularly excited about our strong connection with the local community in Kyoto. We will welcome high school students to an interactive program that lets them experience an international scientific conference firsthand, learn about cutting-edge research, and engage directly with researchers from different countries and cultures. The program will also provide a valuable platform for students to share their own experiences and aspirations, exchange ideas, and learn about diverse pathways in STEM education and careers.
I look forward to working closely with Prof. Yuan, the WIE committee, and our international colleagues to create an inspiring, inclusive, and memorable experience for students and researchers alike.
Message from WIE Committee Secretaries
Lei Guo - Associate Professor, Dalian University of Technology, China
“I hope this WIE session will bring greater visibility to women's unique perspectives and contributions in engineering, and inspire more diverse voices to shape the future of innovation.”
Yuanfeng She - Senior Researcher, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan
"Antennas connect people from diverse backgrounds and help us build a better future together."
Yuko Rikuta - Specialist, Nihon Dengyo Kosaku Co., Ltd, Japan
“I hope the WIE program will provide opportunities for researchers, engineers, and students to connect and exchange ideas. I also hope it will inspire the next generation to explore science and engineering.”
Lizhao Song - Chancellor's Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
“As a woman in engineering, I believe that curiosity, courage, and determination empower us to break barriers, drive innovation, and create meaningful solutions for a better future.”
2. Introduction to WIE events
WIE Technical Special Session
Title: Diversity in Antennas and Wireless Technologies: From Inclusive Perspectives to Innovation
This special session explores the contributions, perspectives, and achievements of women in advancing antennas, propagation, and wireless technologies, including antenna design and measurement, electromagnetics and wave propagation, wireless power transfer, wearable and biomedical technologies, sensing and imaging, satellite and mobile communications, and emerging technologies for 6G and beyond. It provides a dedicated platform for women researchers, engineers, educators, students, and industry professionals, together with the broader engineering community, to share technical expertise, research experiences, and perspectives on emerging developments in the field.
Beyond technical achievements, the session emphasises the value of diversity, inclusion, and representation in shaping the future of engineering. It creates opportunities for meaningful exchange across career stages and sectors, encourages connections between established professionals and the next generation of women engineers, and promotes discussion on professional development, mentoring, leadership, and pathways for greater participation and advancement of women in the field.
By bringing together technical excellence, diverse perspectives, and professional exchange, this WIE Technical Special Session aims to strengthen the visibility and engagement of women in antennas and wireless engineering, foster new collaborations, and inspire future generations to contribute to an increasingly innovative and inclusive engineering community.
WIE Networking & Next-Generation Exchange Forum
This forum provides an interactive platform for researchers, engineers, students, educators, and industry professionals from diverse countries, cultures, and career stages to connect, exchange experiences, and build meaningful professional relationships. With a particular focus on Women in Engineering and next-generation engagement, the forum encourages dialogue on career development, STEM education, mentoring, leadership, and diversity and inclusion across engineering and science.
A key focus of the forum is intergenerational exchange, creating opportunities for established professionals, early-career researchers, university students, and young learners to share experiences and perspectives. Through networking and informal discussions, participants can develop connections across career stages, learn from different professional pathways, and strengthen engagement within the international engineering community. The forum also seeks to extend this exchange to the next generation of STEM students through a potential High School Outreach Program (PDF Guidance). Local high school students will be invited to participate in selected activities, interact with researchers and engineers from around the world, and gain first-hand exposure to contemporary research and technological innovation. Student teams may also have opportunities to showcase their STEM projects, research activities, or learning experiences and engage directly with members of the international scientific community.
Through networking, mentoring, and cross-generational exchange, the forum aims to inspire young people, particularly young women, to explore opportunities in STEM, broaden their understanding of educational and career pathways, and develop connections with role models and professionals from diverse backgrounds. In doing so, the forum supports the broader WIE mission of strengthening the participation, visibility, and advancement of women in engineering while fostering a more inclusive and connected STEM community.
For additional information, please contact the WIE Committee at wie@2027.apsursi.org.