This International Women in Engineering Day (#INWED25), we celebrate the women leading teaching, research, innovation, and positive change in the world of engineering.
Recognising this year’s theme of ‘Together we engineer’, we spoke to three of the outstanding researchers at The Australian National University (ANU), whose stories highlight the diversity of thought and experience that make engineering stronger.
From sustainable energy to space technologies and safe systems, these engineers are solving global problems and shaping the future with intelligence, empathy and vision.
Dr Karthika Prasad: building smarter materials for space
For Dr Karthika Prasad, a fascination with how materials work at the tiniest scales paired with a passion for futuristic ideas, all began with a memorable mobile phone promotion.
“My journey began with a YouTube video featuring two concept phones by Nokia: the Nokia Morph and Nokia 888. These futuristic, flexible devices could change shape and stretch,” she recalls. “Though they never made it to market, watching those videos felt like stepping into a science fiction film.
“What captivated me was learning that behind this ‘magic’ was real science – nanotechnology. It instantly fascinated me. That moment sparked a curiosity that has stayed with me ever since.”
That spark of wonder has evolved into a career spanning smart materials, aerospace engineering, plasma technologies, and sustainable engineering.
Today, Karthika develops advanced coatings to protect spacecraft from the harsh conditions of space.
“Space is far from empty; it presents a range of harsh challenges. For example, on the Moon, ultra-fine electrostatically charged dust clings to everything. It causes abrasion and interferes with mechanical and electronic systems. My work uses smart nanomaterials to design coatings that can repel lunar dust, resist erosion, and even self-heal.”
Her goal is to make spacecraft more durable, resilient and intelligent in unforgiving environments.
“This helps extend their operational life and reduces mission risks; a crucial factor for long-term missions to the Moon or Mars.”
What excites Karthika most is working at the frontier of what’s possible, on technologies that don’t yet exist.
“It’s deeply rewarding to know that a material or coating I help develop could one day protect a spacecraft landing on the Moon, or help it survive in extreme environments,” she says. “Beyond the science itself, I’m driven by the idea that something I create might, even in a small way, contribute to a larger mission: advancing space exploration, supporting sustainability, or building better technologies here on Earth.”
Ultimately, she hopes her work inspires others to pursue their own scientific journeys, and to see engineering as both a technical and creative discipline.
“People often think engineering is just maths, coding, or calculations – that it’s purely logical, with no creativity. In reality, it’s deeply creative. At its core, engineering is about problem-solving, designing practical, sustainable solutions to real-world challenges, often with limited resources and constraints.”
“To me, engineering feels a lot like storytelling: you’re connecting ideas, exploring different angles, and building something meaningful from scratch. I genuinely enjoy solving problems. I love the challenge of asking, ‘how can we make it better?’ And when it finally works, it really does feel like magic.”
Karthika is also passionate about encouraging young people, especially young women, to consider engineering, even if they don’t fit the stereotypes.
“I often meet young people, who say, ‘I’m not great at coding, so I don’t think I can be an engineer.’ But engineering isn’t a single skillset, it’s a way of thinking. If you’re curious about how things work and want to improve them, there’s a place for you.”
She firmly believes that engineers play a vital role in addressing the world’s biggest challenges.
“From climate change and food security to clean water, healthcare and space exploration – today’s global problems demand practical, scalable solutions. Engineers are at the heart of creating these solutions. We analyse complex systems, identify what’s not working, and design ways to improve them, whether through small refinements or bold new ideas. But beyond technical skills, we need engineers for their mindset: problem-solving, resilience, and creativity.”
“Engineers today aren’t just building bridges and satellites. They’re developing systems that feed communities, clean the air, reduce waste, and protect astronauts. The world needs more engineers, and more kinds of engineers, who care not just about how things work, but why they matter.”
Karthika understands the importance of representation and belonging – because for a long time, she didn’t see herself reflected in the field.
“I wasn’t sure what a ‘typical engineer’ was supposed to be – but I was fairly certain it wasn’t me,” she reflects. “There were times I felt overlooked or had to prove myself just to be taken seriously. You do feel it, especially when you’re the only woman in the room.”
Support from mentors helped her navigate those moments, and now Karthika is committed to doing the same for others.
“Over time, I realised that engineering needs all types of thinkers. With the support of a strong woman mentor, I gained the confidence to speak up, stay the course, and own my space. I learned that I don’t have to fit in, I just have to be me.”
For Karthika, diversity in engineering isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s essential.
“Diversity matters because the challenges we face today are complex and global. If everyone on a team thinks the same way, we’ll keep arriving at the same kinds of solutions. Engineering thrives on diversity – in people, experiences, and ideas. Different backgrounds, cultures and lived experiences bring fresh ideas and help uncover blind spots.
“Some of the most valuable insights I’ve encountered came not from the loudest voice, but from someone who offered a different perspective. Engineering solutions need to be inclusive, thoughtful and grounded in the real world – and that requires diverse teams and ways of thinking.”
Karthika is excited about the future, and hopefully seeing more new voices, fresh thinking, and people who care about solving real problems join her field.
“If you’re even thinking about engineering, that’s a sign you belong,” she says. “You don’t need to fit a mold or have everything figured out from day one. If you enjoy exploring, questioning, and building, give yourself the chance. You don’t lose by trying – you grow by doing.”
Dr Elizabeth Williams: designing technology with people in mind
Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Williams’ path to engineering was anything but conventional, and that’s part of what makes her work so impactful.
“I grew up reading science fiction and Scientific American magazines, thanks to my dad who was a poet with a love of creative writing and astronomy,” she says. “I was always interested in science and remember playing with a microscope when I was little.
“I came to engineering much later, after working in nuclear physics at experimental accelerator facilities where part of my job was to design technologies that worked well for diverse users. I found the human element of this interesting and realised I wanted to use my STEM skills for meaningful impact in the world in the nearer term.”
Liz now works at the intersection of engineering, safety, and systems design. She helps to ensure technologies in high-risk sectors like hospitals, road systems, and nuclear facilities meet the needs of the people who use them.
“Most people think engineering is all about maths and science, but in my experience the most challenging problems in engineering are human and organisational in nature,” she says. “I have a fascination with safety and what that means for different people. This kind of work starts not with the technology, but with understanding the people and organisations where it will be used and considering its potential impact.
She thrives in multidisciplinary teams and is driven by the challenge of navigating complex systems.
“I like seeing how different ideas connect across fields. Technologies are getting more complex and interconnected, and the potential for impact – good or bad – is increasing. I really like teaching into a systems engineering program that provides a great foundation for complex global challenges. My hope is that my work helps us manage that a bit better.”
As a nuclear physicist who is working in engineering contexts, Liz acknowledges she hasn’t followed a traditional path.
“I try not to think too much about whether I fit in the engineering box,” she says. “I know my skills are valuable – and there are lots of different types of engineering roles, and we need people with diverse skills, interests, and experiences to contribute.”
She’s also candid about the gender-based challenges she’s faced.
“Some workplaces simply aren’t great at supporting women in engineering,” she notes. “But I’ve been lucky to work mostly in supportive teams who have helped me prepare for these environments. I had a supervisor who told me I’d be held to unfair standards at my first conference because I was a woman, and then said the whole team would help ready me to meet them. And they did, which to this day I am incredibly grateful for.”
Now, Liz pays it forward by supporting students, colleagues, and other aspiring engineers in the same way.
“Creating workplaces where people from diverse backgrounds can thrive often means creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. It is very hard to anticipate problems you yourself have not experienced.
“The world needs more people who can think critically about the world that we live in and are building towards. Diversity in the workforce can help us identify challenges, problems, or opportunities we would not see otherwise.
Her advice to aspiring engineers:
“Find people who listen to you and take you seriously, and ask them to mentor you. Learn to tell whether a challenge you’re facing is about your performance or about a cultural expectation. And remember, learning about people and power dynamics is just as important as learning about systems and materials.”
“We have a shortage of engineers and they do very important work that we all rely on every day, even if we don’t realise it!”
Dr AnYao Liu: Powering change with better solar technology
Dr AnYao Liu is helping to shape the future of clean energy, one solar panel at a time.
“My research focuses on improving solar photovoltaics technology,” she explains. “In other words, making solar panels better and more affordable.”
Driven by a deep concern for climate change, AnYao sees her work as a way to support the global shift to renewable energy.
“I am genuinely concerned about climate change. That’s what motivated me to enter this field in the first place – and it continues to motivate me today,” she says. “By making solar panels cheaper and more efficient, it provides the backbone for cheaper renewable electricity. That helps to accelerate the energy transition we urgently need.”
AnYao is passionate about inspiring future engineers.
“We need new and improving technologies. And we need people to solve complex problems.”
She finds deep satisfaction in teaching, and in helping her students develop.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the growth of my students. It’s exciting to be part of their learning journey.”
As a woman in engineering, AnYao has encountered challenges and biases, but she meets them head-on with logic.
“Biases are opinions, not facts,” she says simply. “I’ve been teaching my daughter about distinguishing the difference between fact and opinion, and I think this can be applied here too.”
AnYao believes that diversity is vital in engineering.
“There shouldn’t be a mold for what an engineer looks like. Diversity creates a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. We’re all different, and it’s important to know that it is okay to be different.”
Her advice to the next generation is both powerful and playful:
“To borrow from Nike… Just do it! If there is no representation, be the new representation.”