Perspectives on Women's Careers in Engineering and Veterinary Science: Challenges and Opportunities across Academia, Professional Practice, and Industry Women_in_Science_Session_last SESSION ORGANIZERS Federica Pirrone, ADMV - Association of Women Veterinarians, Italy Erika Pittella, IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Italy Member PROGRAM OF THE SESSION Session chair: Erika Pittella, Sapienza University of Rome & IEEE WIE Italy Member 16:30 - Welcome Prof. Erika Pittella, Prof. Federica Pirrone Prof. Paola Saccomandi, Vice Chair, IEEE WIE Italy Section Dr. Mara di Noia, DVM, Vice President, ADMV 16:40 - Shaping a career as a veterinarian: growth, change and new challenges in the private sector Dr. Sara Nicolini, Freelancer consultant 16:55 - From student to professor in veterinary medicine: a career experience of challenges and milestones in Italian academia Prof. Federica Pirrone, University of Milan 17:10 - Engineering the future of parasite control: women pioneering innovation in Veterinary Science Dr. Martina Nocerino, University of Naples Federico II 17:25 - Harnessing interdisciplinary collaborations to advance your career while pursuing future grant opportunities Dr. Andrea Pacheco, Politecnico di Milano 17:40 - Discussion and closing of the session INVITED SPEAKERS Sara Nicolini is a veterinarian with a multidisciplinary background. She previously worked with a British NGO, engaging with major European food companies to promote higher animal welfare across supply chains. She holds postgraduate degrees in veterinary public health, food quality and safety, and scientific communication, as well as diplomas in international cooperation. She now works as a freelance consultant, contributing to projects at the intersection of the above-mentioned fields. Her experience also includes official veterinary roles in the UK and science education. Federica Pirrone is an Associate Professor in Veterinary Ethology at the University of Milan. She holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine and a Ph.D. in Biotechnologies Applied to Veterinary and Zootechnical Science, with a focus on inflammation-related processes. Her current research interests include biodetection dogs, emotional processes, and the impact of inflammaging on cognition in senior cats and dogs. Martina Nocerino is an Environmental Engineer who earned her PhD in Veterinary Science from the University of Naples Federico II. Specialized in database management, mapping, and modeling through Geographic Information Systems (GIS), she has contributed to various national and international research projects in the field of veterinary medicine. Her research focuses on the combined use of geospatial technology and innovative devices to support parasite control strategies. Andrea Pacheco is a Colombian physicist with a Ph.D. in Biophotonics from University College Cork (Ireland). She joined the LambdaLab at the Politecnico di Milano in 2024 as a recipient of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship. Driven by a vision to bridge biomedical engineering and veterinary sciences, her research focuses on advancing the clinical translation of photonic technologies.

Il gruppo IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group della Sezione Italia e She SPS Italia organizzano l’evento “Women in Engineering: Innovazione per l’industria del futuro”, che si terrà il 15 maggio 2025 durante la fiera "SPS Italia". L'evento include una tavola rotonda rivolta a studenti delle scuole superiori, ai loro docenti e genitori, con l'obiettivo di orientare le opportunità di carriera nel campo STEM e incoraggiare le ragazze a intraprendere studi in ingegneria. Le relatrici sono giovani ingegnere e ingegnere senior che condivideranno le loro esperienze nei campi STEM, con particolare attenzione alle discipline della meccanica, automazione, elettronica, robotica, informatica. Parleranno del loro percorso accademico, delle sfide affrontate e delle opportunità di carriera. La sessione mira a ispirare gli studenti delle scuole superiori, soprattutto le giovani donne, a perseguire studi STEM all'università. IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) - Italy Affinity Group: siamo la rete italiana dell’associazione IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE), costituita da membri e volontari IEEE dedicata a promuovere le donne ingegnere e scienziate e a ispirare le ragazze a seguire i loro interessi accademici in una carriera nell'ingegneria e nella scienza. She SPS Italia: siamo la community femminile che racconta storie di successo nel mondo dell’automazione e dell’innovazione per l’industria, e ci dedichiamo alla valorizzazione del contributo di esperienze e conoscenze di donne che si occupano di automazione e innovazione, incluse le nuove generazioni, che in futuro saranno capaci di colmare il gender gap. Interverranno: Prof.ssa Paola Saccomandi, Dipartimento di Meccanica - Politecnico di Milano, Vicepresidente IEEE Women in Engineering Italy AG Prof. Giambattista Gruosso, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria - Politecnico di Milano, Presidente IEEE Sezione Italia Ing. Arianna Paini, Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura - Università di Parma Ing. Maria Vittoria Rizzo, Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura - Università di Parma Ing. Irene Vetrò (in via di definizione) Il team She SPS Italia dettagli ulteriori al link

Panel Session: Challenging a Divɘrsɘ Tomorrow Moderator: Dajana CASSIOLI - University of L’Aquila, ITALY - Chair of the IEEE Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and Past Chair of WIE Italy Panelists: ● Prof. Angela Yingjun ZHANG, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, CHINA ● Prof. Angeliki ALEXIOU, University of Piraeus, GREECE ● Prof. Renato LO CIGNO, University of Brescia, ITALY ● Prof. Zak M. KASSAS, Director, US Dept. of Transportation Center for Automated Vehicles Research with Multimodal AssurEd Navigation (CARMEN), and The Ohio State University, USA ● Miguel GUTIÉRREZ GAITÁN, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, CHILE Abstract: This panel brings together distinguished academics and emerging professionals in wireless and vehicular communications, networking, navigation and satellite systems, intelligent transportation, autonomous vehicles, optimization and learning in 5G and 6G networks and other emerging technologies, such as THz communications, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and integrated sensing and communications. The panel will explore the advancement of women, young professionals, and early-career researchers as they shape their paths in STEM. While women continue to break barriers, meaningful inclusion requires collective effort, diverse perspectives, and structural change. This session will examine the challenges and opportunities that shape women’s and young professionals’ careers in STEM and the role of supportive environments in fostering long-term success. Speakers will also share their personal journeys, insights on leadership and career development, and discuss how diversity shapes the future of science and technology.