Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature: Celebrating Pioneering Women Shaping the Future of Science and Innovation
In a landmark initiative to champion gender diversity and innovation in technology, Sony Group Corporation (Sony) and Nature have announced the inaugural winners of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature. This prestigious award honors exceptional early to mid-career women researchers who are driving groundbreaking advancements in science, engineering, and mathematics to address global challenges and improve society. Each winner receives a $250,000 prize to further their transformative research.
The three winners—Dr. Kiana Aran, Dr. Amanda Randles, and Dr. Yating Wan—along with the Judges’ Commendation honoree, Dr. Jiawen Li, were celebrated at an awards ceremony held in Tokyo, Japan. Their contributions span diverse fields, from bioengineering and digital twin technology to silicon photonics and medical imaging, showcasing the profound impact women researchers have on advancing technology for the betterment of humanity.
Mid-Career Winners: Trailblazers in Bioengineering and Digital Twins
Dr. Kiana Aran: Revolutionizing Early Disease Detection
Dr. Kiana Aran, a professor of bioengineering and medicine at UC San Diego, was recognized for her pioneering work in bioengineering. Her research focuses on integrating advanced sensor technology with artificial intelligence to detect biomarkers associated with cancer and age-related neurological diseases. Among her notable achievements is the development of a CRISPR-powered electronic chip made from graphene, which enables rapid detection of genetic diseases and respiratory infections like COVID-19.
Beyond her groundbreaking research, Aran is a passionate advocate for women in technology. She has founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring women engineers and actively promotes international scientific collaboration. The judging panel praised Aran’s vision, stating, “Her work in bioengineering has a clear pathway to significant real-world impact for patients, and her aspiration to serve as a role model in semiconductors—a field with low female representation—is truly inspiring.”
Dr. Amanda Randles: Advancing Personalized Medicine through Digital Twins
Dr. Amanda Randles, a computational scientist and biomedical engineer at Duke University, received the award for her innovative research in digital twin technology. Her work integrates wearable-informed computational models to provide personalized insights into cardiovascular hemodynamics, enabling proactive interventions for heart patients.
Randles and her team are also exploring how this technology can be applied to cancer treatment, identifying new therapeutic targets to revolutionize early intervention strategies. The judges noted that Randles’ work represents “a significant opportunity in the fascinating space of digital twins,” adding that her vision of doctors reviewing digital twin organs to optimize treatments is both ambitious and inspiring.
Early-Career Winner: Leading the Charge in Silicon Photonics
Dr. Yating Wan: Pioneering Energy-Efficient Data Communication
Dr. Yating Wan, a rising star in silicon photonics, won the early-career prize for her groundbreaking research on integrating light sources onto silicon chips. As the leader of the Integrated Photonics Lab at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Wan has achieved significant progress in combining quantum dot lasers with silicon photonics, paving the way for more energy-efficient data communication and information processing.
Her work holds immense potential for practical applications, including optical datacom, sensing, and AI-driven technologies. The judging panel highlighted Wan’s contributions, stating, “She is making significant strides in the future of data communications and has the potential to revolutionize silicon photonic sensors.” Collaborating with tech industry partners, Wan’s team is working to bring these innovations to real-world use, ensuring their impact extends beyond the lab.
Judges’ Commendation: Honoring Ambitious Visionaries
In recognition of the high caliber of applicants, the judges awarded a special Judges’ Commendation to Dr. Jiawen Li, a biomedical engineer and associate professor at the University of Adelaide, Australia. Li’s research combines nanoscale 3D printing with optical fiber technology to create a hair-thin endoscope capable of detecting blood vessel abnormalities and assessing heart attack risks. This invention not only aids in prevention but also enables personalized treatments.
Li is actively working to commercialize her device, bringing it closer to clinical practice. She is also expanding its capabilities to measure site-specific temperature and chemical changes, with potential applications in neurology and IVF. The judges commended her work, noting that it holds immense promise for improving global healthcare outcomes.
A Commitment to Diversity and Innovation
The Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature was launched in March 2024 with the mission of promoting gender diversity in the international research community. Hiroaki Kitano, CTO of Sony Group Corporation and executive sponsor of the program, emphasized the importance of supporting women researchers: “We are deeply inspired by our honorees, each challenging the status quo in their respective fields. We look forward to championing their work and growing this program in the years to come.”
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief of Nature, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Women make up less than a third of the global workforce in technology-related fields. However, the creativity, innovation, and diversity they bring are essential to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. This year’s winners exemplify the power of scientific excellence and serve as role models for the next generation of women pursuing careers in STEM.”
Join the Movement
Applications for the next cycle of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature will open on March 6, 2025. Researchers interested in applying can visit the official website to review eligibility guidelines and learn more about the program. To stay updated, sign up for the Sony Women in Technology with Nature newsletter and receive notifications when the application cycle begins.
This award underscores Sony’s and Nature’s shared commitment to fostering a more inclusive and innovative future in technology. By celebrating the achievements of women researchers, the program not only highlights their critical contributions but also inspires the next generation to pursue careers in STEM. Together, we can build a world where diversity drives discovery, and innovation knows no bounds.
