Women in the Department
Celebrating the work of engineering women and inspiring a new generation.
In EEE, we want to celebrate the achievements and attributes women have made to the Department and the engineering field. It's important to us that we continue to encourage more women to join the industry and create an equal environment. We hope by pushing for an ever-diverse workspace, we inspire a new generation of women engineers. Here you can read the stories of just some of the incredible women in our department.
Amany Kassem - PhD Student
What is your role at the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering?
I am a PhD student in the Information and Communication Engineering research group. My research is on the design of analogue electronic circuits to increase data rates in visible light communication systems.
What inspired you to work in the field of engineering?
Initially, a love for science and a desire to know how things worked. But it was mainly the idea of being able to find solutions to practical problems and making an impact by putting my knowledge into practice is that drove me to carry on. Also, there are so many opportunities in Engineering, and the fact that it is constantly evolving makes it more interesting to me.
What has been your biggest professional challenge and how have you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I faced was working from home during lockdown when the university was closed. The transition from having my own desk space and a regular work routine in the office to adapt to working from home was very challenging. It took a lot of effort to improve my productivity at home, but maintaining small habits like having consistent working hours and setting a bright and tidy workspace has helped.
Who is your female role model?
My female role model is my mother, who has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. She taught me how to be resilient and disciplined and have set a fantastic example of a strong and loving woman. I am also inspired by all my female colleagues who are constantly working hard and excelling in what they do, which motivates me to evolve too.
Francesca Boem - Lecturer in Control Systems
What is your role at the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering?
I'm a Lecturer in Control Systems. I'm an academic member of staff, working both on teaching and research. I teach a module in the MEng, I'm a second-year tutor, I currently supervise three PhD students. My research is focused on methods for control and monitoring of large-scale interconnected systems, to make systems such as the smart grid, water networks, smart buildings, complex industrial plants, efficient, safe and reliable. I collaborate with a lot of colleagues both within the Department and with the UK and international research groups.
What inspired you to work in the field of engineering?
One of my Maths and Physics teachers in high school. I was very interested in scientific subjects, such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, but I was also fascinated by the creativity of design and architecture. She suggested that Civil Engineering could have been a good compromise. At the end of my undergraduate studies (with a change in my MEng programme choice in the middle), I actually discovered the creativity of the scientific research process and the joy of discovering something new. The broad and multidisciplinary field of Control Engineering, the vast number and diversity of its applications and the many opportunities of collaboration, have made me realise how funny and creative mathematics can be.
What has been your biggest professional challenge and how have you overcome it?
Job interviews. I'm quite a shy person when talking about myself and I don't like to showcase my merits. I have overcome this with a lot of practice with colleagues and friends, with mock interviews and by realising that doing a great job interview was more about explaining the importance of the research I was doing and communicating how much I like my work.
Who is your female role model?
My role models are some of my female senior colleagues, that have shown me that it is possible to succeed in research and have a life and a family; that with effort and passion it is possible to achieve great results; that leadership is not only for men, also in Engineering; that many times quality is more important than quantity; that the success of the group is important as the success of the individual. I really appreciate their example and their support.
Mahsa Barkabian - PhD Student
What is your role at the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering?
I am a PhD student at Ultrafast Photonics group, working on down-converting two laser beams to generate terahertz waves. Using this tuneable terahertz source we will be doing gas spectroscopy to detect greenhouse gases and other air pollutants with high accuracy in a wide bandwidth.
What inspired you to work in the field of engineering?
My passion for electrical engineering emerged when I first learned about electromagnetic waves in high school. The fact that many unseen electromagnetic waves surround us with significant abilities like connecting people across distances motivated me to deepen my knowledge in this area. Thus, I pursued my path in electrical engineering, concentrating on electromagnetics, to use underlying principles of engineering for developing new technologies.
What has been your biggest challenge (professional or otherwise) since joining UCL and how have you overcome it?
Starting my PhD at UCL marks my first experience studying abroad. In this regard, adjusting to a new academic environment while settling into a new country and culture far from home was initially challenging for me. However, the prospect of meeting new people, building new friendships, and receiving support from the UCL community has been invaluable in helping me navigate these changes, making the journey both enriching and enjoyable.
Who is your female role model?
I believe everyone has their own unique journey! So, I haven’t had a single role model throughout my life. Instead have been inspired by several women at different stages, who share many characteristics in common. The women who have pursued their goals despite the barriers women often face in society. Who push their limits and stand up again after any setbacks. Further, in addition to their successful careers, women have a fulfilling personal life.
