Meet Dr. Pinar Keskinocak, a Professor within the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech. Dr. Keskinocak earned her Ph.D. in Operations Research from Carnegie Mellon University, and she holds an M.S. and B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Bilkent University. Her prior roles include serving as the College of Engineering ADVANCE Professor and stepping into the role of interim associate dean for faculty development and scholarship. Furthermore, she is the co-founder and director of the Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems. Before becoming a part of the Georgia Tech community, she contributed her expertise at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. Dr. Pinar Keskinocak's remarkable journey has been a testament to the intersection of her passions and her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on people's lives. From an early age, her love for math and the pursuit of knowledge drove her to explore the realms of engineering, systems, and supply chains. These interests eventually led her to the forefront of operations research and public health, where she found her true calling.

As she reflects on her path, Dr. Keskinocak's story is one of dedication and collaboration. Her career has been marked by working alongside students and colleagues from diverse fields, applying quantitative methods to enhance decision-making in healthcare and humanitarian response. This journey has not only been about research papers and accolades but also about empathy and a deep understanding of the human impact of complex emergencies.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Keskinocak delved into studying various diseases that have afflicted populations worldwide, such as pandemic flu and malaria. Her expertise extends to disaster preparedness, making her a key scientific advisor both in the United States and internationally. The pandemic shed light on the vulnerabilities within our systems, particularly their disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. Dr. Keskinocak emphasizes the need for swift coordination between the public and private sectors on a national and global scale. She envisions a future where universal collaboration triggers a chain reaction, enabling systems to better handle catastrophic events like COVID-19. Being named president of INFORMS, the organization dedicated to operational research was a significant milestone in Dr. Keskinocak's journey. Despite the challenges of 2020, INFORMS expanded its expertise and is poised for continued growth as a result of the pandemic.

While Dr. Keskinocak's professional achievements are undeniably impressive, she remains acutely aware of the gender disparities in engineering fields. She acknowledges the existence of unconscious biases that young women may encounter from teachers and family members. However, she sees these challenges as opportunities for aspiring scientists to push boundaries and challenge stereotypes. Her message to them is clear: "You deserve success and happiness, so celebrate every victory, no matter how small."

Dr. Keskinocak believes that today's women in STEM fields have paved the way for a new generation of scientists and technologists. She hopes that access to opportunities continues to grow, creating an exponential increase in the presence of women in these fields. Her excitement for the future of engineering is palpable, as she envisions young women using their unique voices and perspectives to make the world a better place. In her journey, Dr. Keskinocak has not only blazed a trail but also lit a beacon of hope for those who follow in her footsteps.

      Meet Dr. Valerie Thomas, an esteemed researcher and academic in the field of energy and sustainability. With a B.A. in physics from Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Cornell University, she currently holds the Anderson-Interface Chair of Natural Systems and is a Professor in the H. Milton School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, with a joint appointment in the School of Public Policy. Her research focuses on energy and materials efficiency, sustainability, industrial ecology, technology assessment, international security, and science and technology policy, with ongoing projects in low-carbon transportation fuels, carbon capture, building construction, and electricity system development.

Dr. Thomas has an extensive background that spans multiple disciplines. Initially working in theoretical physics, she then transitioned to nuclear arms control and eventually focused her expertise on energy and sustainability. When she joined Georgia Tech, she embarked on a new field, Industrial and Systems Engineering, where she now holds an endowed chair. 

During her post-doctoral fellowship, Dr. Thomas undertook a noteworthy project focused on detecting nuclear weapons to support nuclear arms control. This endeavor involved a collaborative experiment in the Black Sea, bringing together scientists from the United States and the Soviet Union. This experience provided Dr. Thomas with invaluable insights into the potential of innovative international scientific cooperation, while also highlighting the importance of seizing research opportunities and collaborations, particularly in rapidly evolving contexts such as the former Soviet Union.

Despite her accomplishments, Dr. Thomas has faced biases and stereotypes throughout her academic and professional journey. While she received encouragement from her professors during high school and college, she sometimes encountered difficulties in feeling comfortable with certain male students, particularly during her college and graduate school years. During her graduate school experience, Dr. Thomas faced a discouraging suggestion from a professor. He proposed that she extend her time in graduate school, citing the perception that women may be less prepared. Although she took offense at the suggestion, upon reflection, she recognizes that an additional year would have been beneficial to her academic development. Another example was when Dr. Thomas was expecting her second child and she encountered a supervisor who suggested transitioning to a different position more suitable for her new role as a parent. However, she declined the offer and ultimately left the university. These experiences highlight the challenges Dr. Thomas faced due to biases and assumptions based on gender. Despite these obstacles, she persevered and made choices aligned with her aspirations and goals.

However, Dr. Thomas has also found more supportive environments in which she could further pursue her career. She has greatly benefited from various programs and initiatives throughout her academic journey. As an undergraduate, she received support from an NSF program that facilitated her participation in summer research with a professor at her college. She also had the opportunity to further her research experience through a program sponsored by Bell Laboratories, where she spent a summer conducting research in Murray Hill, NJ.

Additionally, during her Ph.D. program, Dr. Thomas was fortunate to have a combination of teaching and research assistantships that provided financial support and valuable experience. Dr. Thomas acknowledges the importance of prestigious and focused research opportunities in shaping her career. She found great value in participating in a women's group for Ph.D. students in physics during graduate school, as it provided a supportive environment and valuable seminars, particularly since she was the only woman in her research area. Upon joining Georgia Tech as an untenured faculty member, Dr. Thomas found guidance and inspiration through the Georgia Tech ADVANCE program. Specifically, seminars led by prominent female professors offered valuable insights and guidance, helping her identify actionable steps to enhance her success.

In the view of Dr. Thomas, one of the key barriers that women face is the dominance of men in many STEM settings. While this is not always problematic, there are occasions when it can create a highly uncomfortable environment. Even as she has advanced to a senior level, Dr. Thomas still occasionally encounters situations where she feels excluded, which highlights a lack of effective management, leadership, and awareness within those groups. It is important to note that men may also experience exclusion and discomfort in certain STEM meetings.

To overcome these barriers, Dr. Thomas suggests recognizing that the problem lies with the group or the leader rather than the individual who feels uncomfortable. Taking appropriate action becomes essential in such situations. In cases where the situation seems hopeless, Dr. Thomas chooses not to participate in unproductive meetings and openly expresses her view when asked, stating that the meetings are not useful. In other instances, where there is a possibility to salvage the relationship, she speaks up and contributes to getting things back on track. Speaking up, despite any discomfort, has proven to be tremendously helpful in addressing these challenges and effecting positive change.

By actively addressing poor management, inadequate leadership, and low awareness of dynamics within STEM groups, it becomes possible to create more inclusive and supportive environments for both women and men in STEM fields.

As an ending note, Dr. Thomas advises us to go ahead and try. There are many opportunities in STEM, and you will face pressures. But, everyone faces pressures, especially in what can be challenging work. As you practice working with challenges, you will be able to grow from obstacles.