Latest news with #SonyWomeninTechnologyAward
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Applications Now Open for the 2026 Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature
NEW YORK and LONDON and BERLIN and TOKYO, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Group Corporation (Sony) and Nature today announced the application cycle for the 2026 Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature is now open. The annual award, launched to champion promising women researchers during crucial phases in their research and career development, recognizes three outstanding early to mid-career women researchers in technology (including science, engineering and mathematics) whose work is driving positive impact on society and the planet. Applications for the award will be accepted from March 6, 2025 at 12 AM GMT through May 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM GMT. The winners of the award will be announced in early 2026. The three winners will each receive a prize of $250,000 U.S. Dollars to support and accelerate work related to their research and a chance to showcase their achievements on Submissions will be evaluated by a judging panel of independent, esteemed technologists, scientists and experts from across the globe, including Nature Editor-in-Chief Magdalena Skipper and Hiroaki Kitano, CTO of Sony Group Corporation. Each application will be judged on the merits of ambition, innovation, conceptual excellence, impact and social significance. Hiroaki Kitano commented: "Earlier this year, we were honored to recognize the inaugural finalists and winners of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature, each of whom is pioneering fascinating, multidisciplinary research that will have real-world impact outside of the lab. I am optimistic that this year's cohort of applicants will also embody excellence and help expand this growing community of researchers across the globe. Whether you are in the early or mid-stage in your research career, we are excited to hear from you and champion your ambitions." Remarking on Nature's continued role in the program, Dr. Skipper said, "At Nature, we want to ensure that extraordinary technological breakthroughs get the recognition they deserve throughout the global research community. In partnering with Sony, we are jointly creating a high-caliber platform for rewarding and raising awareness of vital technological achievements from women researchers. The world needs their research and inventions." The award is open to applicants who self-identify as women and conduct research and development in technology. Eligible researchers working within a university, research institute, or university spin-out company are encouraged to apply. For more details about eligibility, please refer to the award site here. About Sony Group Corporation Sony Group Corporation is a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. Across its six business segments - Game & Network Services; Music; Pictures; Entertainment, Technology & Services; Imaging & Sensing Solutions; and Financial Services - Sony's purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology. For more information, visit: About Nature PortfolioNature Portfolio's high-quality journals and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences help move science and society forward. Nature Portfolio is home to the leading, international weekly journal of science, Nature – founded in 1869. It is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries. Online, provides over nine million unique visitors per month with content, including news and comment from the Nature journal, and the leading scientific jobs board, Nature Careers. As part of Springer Nature, Nature Portfolio also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training. For more information, please visit and follow @NaturePortfolio. About Springer NatureSpringer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit and @SpringerNature. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sony Group Corporation
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Celebrating the Winners of the Inaugural Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature
NEW YORK and LONDON and BERLIN and TOKYO, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Photonics. Her research focuses on integrating light sources onto silicon chips for more energy-efficient data communication and information processing. Leading the Integrated Photonics Lab at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Dr. Wan is recognized for her novel integration of 'quantum dot' lasers — nanocrystals made from semi-conductor materials — with silicon photonics, demonstrating important progress toward commercial use of photonic chips. With tech industry collaborators working on the same goals, her team is exploring how to deploy the chips in practical, real-world applications, such as optical datacom, sensing, and AI. Commenting on their decision to award Wan the Early Career prize, the judging panel highlighted that as a rising star in her field, Wan is making "significant contributions to future of data communications and carries potential to revolutionize the future of silicon photonic sensors." Judges' Commendation Recipient After receiving high-caliber applications from researchers worldwide, the judges' panel decided to extend a special Judges' Commendation to Dr. Jiawen Li, whose ambitious vision in the medical imaging field holds promise to improve healthcare globally. Li's work combines nanoscale 3D printing with optical fiber technology to create a hair-thin endoscope that cardiologists can use to investigate blood vessels to determine a patient's risk for a heart attack. This invention can also be used for prevention and personalized treatments. Li, a biomedical engineer and Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide, Australia, is actively working on commercializing this invention, an important step in bringing this life-saving device to clinical practice. Together with her collaborators, Li is also expanding the multimodal technology's features to measure data like site-specific temperature and chemical changes, as well as exploring applications in neurology and IVF. "We launched this award in March 2024 with the clear aim of supporting more diverse gender representation within the international research community," says Hiroaki Kitano, CTO of Sony Group Corporation and executive sponsor of the program. "We are very inspired by our honorees, each of them challenging the current state of the art in their fields. We look forward to championing their work, as well as growing the program in the years to come." Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature added: "Women make up less than a third of the world's workforce in technology related fields. However, the diversity, creativity, and innovation that women bring to research and technology is essential if we hope to address the most pressing challenges facing the world. Therefore, it is with great pride that we celebrate the inspiring work of Kiana Aran, Amanda Randles and Yating Wan. Through their commitment to scientific excellence and advocating for women in STEM, this year's winners stand as perfect examples of role models for the next generation of women considering careers in research and engineering." Applications for the next cycle of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature open on March 6, 2025. To read more about eligibility guidelines, visit To receive a reminder when the next application cycle launches, sign up for the Sony Women in Technology with Nature newsletter: About Sony Group CorporationSony Group Corporation is a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. Across its six business segments - Game & Network Services; Music; Pictures; Entertainment, Technology & Services; Imaging & Sensing Solutions; and Financial Services - Sony's purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology. For more information, visit: About Nature PortfolioNature Portfolio's high-quality products and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences is dedicated to serving the scientific community. Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading, international weekly journal of science. Nature Portfolio is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries. Online, provides over nine million unique visitors per month with Nature Portfolio content, including news and comment from Nature, and the leading scientific jobs board, Nature Careers. Nature Portfolio also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training and expert language and editing services. For more information, please visit and follow @NaturePortfolio. Nature Portfolio is part of Springer Nature. About Springer NatureSpringer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit and @SpringerNature. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sony Group Corporation Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Celebrating the Winners of the Inaugural Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature
NEW YORK and LONDON and BERLIN and TOKYO, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Photonics. Her research focuses on integrating light sources onto silicon chips for more energy-efficient data communication and information processing. Leading the Integrated Photonics Lab at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Dr. Wan is recognized for her novel integration of 'quantum dot' lasers — nanocrystals made from semi-conductor materials — with silicon photonics, demonstrating important progress toward commercial use of photonic chips. With tech industry collaborators working on the same goals, her team is exploring how to deploy the chips in practical, real-world applications, such as optical datacom, sensing, and AI. Commenting on their decision to award Wan the Early Career prize, the judging panel highlighted that as a rising star in her field, Wan is making "significant contributions to future of data communications and carries potential to revolutionize the future of silicon photonic sensors." Judges' Commendation Recipient After receiving high-caliber applications from researchers worldwide, the judges' panel decided to extend a special Judges' Commendation to Dr. Jiawen Li, whose ambitious vision in the medical imaging field holds promise to improve healthcare globally. Li's work combines nanoscale 3D printing with optical fiber technology to create a hair-thin endoscope that cardiologists can use to investigate blood vessels to determine a patient's risk for a heart attack. This invention can also be used for prevention and personalized treatments. Li, a biomedical engineer and Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide, Australia, is actively working on commercializing this invention, an important step in bringing this life-saving device to clinical practice. Together with her collaborators, Li is also expanding the multimodal technology's features to measure data like site-specific temperature and chemical changes, as well as exploring applications in neurology and IVF. "We launched this award in March 2024 with the clear aim of supporting more diverse gender representation within the international research community," says Hiroaki Kitano, CTO of Sony Group Corporation and executive sponsor of the program. "We are very inspired by our honorees, each of them challenging the current state of the art in their fields. We look forward to championing their work, as well as growing the program in the years to come." Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature added: "Women make up less than a third of the world's workforce in technology related fields. However, the diversity, creativity, and innovation that women bring to research and technology is essential if we hope to address the most pressing challenges facing the world. Therefore, it is with great pride that we celebrate the inspiring work of Kiana Aran, Amanda Randles and Yating Wan. Through their commitment to scientific excellence and advocating for women in STEM, this year's winners stand as perfect examples of role models for the next generation of women considering careers in research and engineering." Applications for the next cycle of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature open on March 6, 2025. To read more about eligibility guidelines, visit To receive a reminder when the next application cycle launches, sign up for the Sony Women in Technology with Nature newsletter: About Sony Group CorporationSony Group Corporation is a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. Across its six business segments - Game & Network Services; Music; Pictures; Entertainment, Technology & Services; Imaging & Sensing Solutions; and Financial Services - Sony's purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology. For more information, visit: About Nature PortfolioNature Portfolio's high-quality products and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences is dedicated to serving the scientific community. Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading, international weekly journal of science. Nature Portfolio is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries. Online, provides over nine million unique visitors per month with Nature Portfolio content, including news and comment from Nature, and the leading scientific jobs board, Nature Careers. Nature Portfolio also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training and expert language and editing services. For more information, please visit and follow @NaturePortfolio. Nature Portfolio is part of Springer Nature. About Springer NatureSpringer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit and @SpringerNature. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sony Group Corporation Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
05-02-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Celebrating the Winners of the Inaugural Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature
NEW YORK and LONDON and BERLIN and TOKYO, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Photonics. Her research focuses on integrating light sources onto silicon chips for more energy-efficient data communication and information processing. Leading the Integrated Photonics Lab at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Dr. Wan is recognized for her novel integration of 'quantum dot' lasers — nanocrystals made from semi-conductor materials — with silicon photonics, demonstrating important progress toward commercial use of photonic chips. With tech industry collaborators working on the same goals, her team is exploring how to deploy the chips in practical, real-world applications, such as optical datacom, sensing, and AI. Commenting on their decision to award Wan the Early Career prize, the judging panel highlighted that as a rising star in her field, Wan is making 'significant contributions to future of data communications and carries potential to revolutionize the future of silicon photonic sensors.' Judges' Commendation Recipient After receiving high-caliber applications from researchers worldwide, the judges' panel decided to extend a special Judges' Commendation to Dr. Jiawen Li, whose ambitious vision in the medical imaging field holds promise to improve healthcare globally. Li's work combines nanoscale 3D printing with optical fiber technology to create a hair-thin endoscope that cardiologists can use to investigate blood vessels to determine a patient's risk for a heart attack. This invention can also be used for prevention and personalized treatments. Li, a biomedical engineer and Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide, Australia, is actively working on commercializing this invention, an important step in bringing this life-saving device to clinical practice. Together with her collaborators, Li is also expanding the multimodal technology's features to measure data like site-specific temperature and chemical changes, as well as exploring applications in neurology and IVF. 'We launched this award in March 2024 with the clear aim of supporting more diverse gender representation within the international research community,' says Hiroaki Kitano, CTO of Sony Group Corporation and executive sponsor of the program. 'We are very inspired by our honorees, each of them challenging the current state of the art in their fields. We look forward to championing their work, as well as growing the program in the years to come.' Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature added: 'Women make up less than a third of the world's workforce in technology related fields. However, the diversity, creativity, and innovation that women bring to research and technology is essential if we hope to address the most pressing challenges facing the world. Therefore, it is with great pride that we celebrate the inspiring work of Kiana Aran, Amanda Randles and Yating Wan. Through their commitment to scientific excellence and advocating for women in STEM, this year's winners stand as perfect examples of role models for the next generation of women considering careers in research and engineering.' Applications for the next cycle of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature open on March 6, 2025. To read more about eligibility guidelines, visit To receive a reminder when the next application cycle launches, sign up for the Sony Women in Technology with Nature newsletter: About Sony Group Corporation Sony Group Corporation is a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation of technology. Across its six business segments - Game & Network Services; Music; Pictures; Entertainment, Technology & Services; Imaging & Sensing Solutions; and Financial Services - Sony's purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology. For more information, visit: Nature Portfolio's high-quality products and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences is dedicated to serving the scientific community. Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading, international weekly journal of science. Nature Portfolio is also home to the Nature research and Nature Reviews journals, the leading open access multidisciplinary journal Nature Communications, and open access journals including Scientific Reports. Together, these journals publish some of the world's most significant scientific discoveries. Online, provides over nine million unique visitors per month with Nature Portfolio content, including news and comment from Nature, and the leading scientific jobs board, Nature Careers. Nature Portfolio also offers a range of researcher services, including online and in-person training and expert language and editing services. For more information, please visit and follow @NaturePortfolio. Nature Portfolio is part of Springer Nature. About Springer Nature Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit and @SpringerNature.
