NEW YORK and LONDON and BERLIN and TOKYO, Feb. 4, 2025 -- Sony Group Corporation (Sony) and Nature are proud to announce the inaugural recipients of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature, honoring outstanding early to mid-career women researchers who are spearheading breakthroughs for the betterment of society and the planet in the field of technology (science, engineering, and mathematics). The award grants each winner a prize of $250,000 to support and accelerate their technological research.
The three winners Dr. Kiana Aran (UC San Diego, USA), Dr. Amanda Randles (Duke University, USA), and Dr. Yating Wan (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia) as well as the Judges' Commendation honoree Dr. Jiawen Li (University of Adelaide, Australia) were recognized today at an award ceremony in Tokyo, Japan.
Mid-Career Winners
Dr. Kiana Aran was selected for her achievements in the field of bioengineering. Aran is investigating the use of fingertip sensors for viral detection, exploring how artificial intelligence can work with advanced sensor technology to analyze multiple biomarkers and enable early detection of cancer and age-associated neurological diseases.
Aran, a professor of bioengineering and medicine at UC San Diego, is best known for pioneering work in the fusion of biology with electronics to enhance precision medicine. Among her achievements is the development of a CRISPR-powered electronic chip made from graphene, designed for the rapid detection of genetic diseases and respiratory infections such as COVID-19.
Beyond her research and entrepreneurial ventures, Aran is a vocal advocate for elevating the role of women in technology and leadership through her involvement with multiple organizations including New Voices for National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. She has also established a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring women engineers and actively promotes international scientific collaboration to foster a more inclusive and innovative future in the high-tech sector.
The judging panel noted that, "Aran's achievements and vision in the field of bioengineering are impressive with a clear pathway to significant real-world impact for patients." Aran's aspiration to be a role model in the semiconductors area, where the representation of women is notably low, was well received by the panel.
Dr. Amanda Randles received the award for her innovative research in "digital twin" technology, which integrates wearable-informed computational models to provide personalized insights into cardiovascular hemodynamics and optimize treatment strategies.
Randles, a computational scientist and biomedical engineer, leads the Randles Lab at Duke University and is known for her contributions to high performance computing, machine learning, and the personalized modeling for disease diagnostics and treatment.
After successfully exploring the use of digital twin technology to guide interventions for heart patients, Randles and team are investigating how this technique can be applied to early intervention for cancer. With this prize, the Randles Lab plans to explore innovative ways of modeling and identifying new therapeutic targets to advance cancer treatment.
Speaking on their decision, the judging panel highlighted that Randles has a "significant impact opportunity in the fascinating space of digital twins," and that, "her vision of a doctor reviewing digital twin organs to enable proactive intervention is inspiring."
Early-Career Winner
Dr. Yating Wan won this year's early career prize for her work in Silicon
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