Batoul Hashemi, a PhD candidate in the Department of Engineering Physics at McMaster University, has been awarded the prestigious Gayathri Singh Award for Microsystems Innovation by Women following an online competition.
Sponsored by GlobalFoundries, this CMC Microsystems award recognizes Hashemi’s groundbreaking research in integrated photonics, particularly her advancements in amplification within hybrid rare-earth silicon waveguides.
Hashemi’s research focuses on integrating multiple optical components onto a microscale chip, a technology known as integrated photonics. “This field offers significant advantages over traditional electronic systems, including lower power consumption and faster data transfer,” she explains. “This makes it highly relevant for telecommunications, data processing, and sensing applications.”
Jonathan Bradley, Associate Professor of Engineering Physics and Director of the Centre for Emerging Device Technologies, praised Hashemi’s innovative work and her impactful responses during the competition. “The judges were thoroughly impressed with her contributions to the field,” he noted.
“This award holds great significance to me, especially as it’s vital for the industry to empower women in science and technology,” Hashemi shared.
As an Iranian woman, I am proud to have received this recognition, which not only celebrates my work but also highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in advancing innovation. It’s a step forward for women in STEM, and I’m honored to be part of that progress.
