Story of a woman in STEM | Dr. Geetha Manjunath | TEDxPSGTech

Summary

The speaker shares her inspiring journey from childhood curiosity to a successful career in computer science and engineering. Despite societal biases, she pursued her passion for technology, excelling in academics and research. Her career spanned from building India's first supercomputer to leading a research lab at HP. A personal encounter with cancer motivated her to co-found Niramai, a startup using AI and thermal imaging for non-invasive breast cancer screening. Her story underscores the power of following one's heart and the potential of Indian innovation to solve global health issues.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the importance of following one's passion and curiosity, which led them to explore technology from a young age.
• 🎓 They chose to pursue engineering despite it being a non-traditional path for women at the time, highlighting the significance of making career choices based on personal interest.
• 🏆 The speaker excelled academically, becoming a top student in their field, illustrating the value of hard work and dedication.
• 🔍 They opted to stay in India for higher education to contribute to local research, showcasing a sense of national pride and the desire to challenge stereotypes.
• 💡 The speaker's career was driven by a love for their work, not external rewards like salary or promotions, underscoring the importance of intrinsic motivation.
• 🛠️ They took risks in their career, such as starting a new group to build a parallel compiler, demonstrating the courage to pursue innovative projects.
• 🌐 The speaker's work at HP Labs involved international collaboration, highlighting the benefits of global research partnerships.
• 🎓 After 15 years in industry, they chose to pursue a PhD, showing that it's never too late to continue learning and growing.
• 🏥 A personal experience with cancer in the family inspired the speaker to shift their focus to healthcare technology, emphasizing the power of personal connections to drive innovation.
• 🌟 The speaker founded a startup to develop a non-invasive, radiation-free breast cancer screening method, demonstrating how technology can address significant health issues.
• 💪 They encourage taking opportunities that align with one's passion, even if they come with risks, and to not be afraid of failure, advocating for a proactive approach to career and life choices.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial reaction to seeing a computer for the first time?

The speaker was intrigued and wanted to understand how it worked, which was a reflection of their inquisitive mindset developed during childhood.

Why did the speaker choose to study engineering despite it being a non-traditional choice for women at the time?

The speaker chose engineering due to their passion for maths and physics, and their belief in following their heart's decision, supported by the encouragement from their surroundings.

How did the speaker's visit to the Indian Institute of Science influence their decision to stay in India for higher studies?

The visit inspired a sense of nationalism and confidence in Indian capabilities, leading the speaker to decide to stay in India and prove the potential of Indian research.

What was the speaker's approach to their education and career in the field of computer science?

The speaker integrated their education with their life's passion, treating it not as a separate entity but as an extension of their love for the subject, which helped them excel in their career.

Why did the speaker decide to join the team building India's first supercomputer instead of pursuing opportunities abroad?

The speaker was motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a significant technological milestone in India and to demonstrate the capabilities of Indian researchers and engineers.

What was the turning point that led the speaker to focus on breast cancer research?

The speaker was deeply affected by the diagnosis of advanced breast cancer in a close friend and family member, which prompted them to explore ways to contribute to solving this critical health issue.

How did the speaker's experience with thermal imaging lead to the founding of Niramai?

The speaker discovered the potential of thermal imaging for breast cancer detection but recognized its limitations in accuracy. This led them to found Niramai to develop a non-radiation-based, accurate thermal imaging solution for breast cancer screening.

What challenges did the speaker and their team face while developing the breast cancer screening technology at Niramai?

The team faced challenges in improving the accuracy of thermal imaging for breast cancer detection, which involved fine-tuning algorithms and conducting extensive experiments to ensure the technology's reliability.

How has the speaker's work with Niramai impacted the global healthcare landscape?

Niramai's technology has been recognized and accepted in various regions including the US, Europe, Africa, and Asia, demonstrating the potential of Indian innovation to address global health challenges and save lives.

What advice does the speaker give to individuals facing opportunities and making life choices?

The speaker encourages individuals to follow their hearts and not to be deterred by fears of failure or concerns about money and fame, but to pursue what they are passionate about and believe in.