IEEE WIE Distinguished Volunteer and Mentor series highlights a dedicated WIE volunteer who is well known for his/her notable contribution to IEEE WIE.
In this issue, we feature Montserrat Rivas.
IEEE WIE: How has your experience with IEEE WIE shaped your career and personal growth?
Rivas: “Often, when I meet a woman in engineering at the IEEE, I grow as a person. Young women are struggling to make an impact in technology or science despite social discouragement, seniors who fought battles we hope never encounter again, and women who still face challenges in pursuing their vocation as engineers. It is why I like serving at the IEEE WIE. They inspire me and make me proud to be part of this community.
I am in the Magnetics Society and the Nanotechnology council. We are the Women in Magnetism (WiM) and Women in Nanotechnology (WiN). Working together to push women further in their careers has been tremendously enriching. I have found wonderful women and excellent research collaborators in this way. Gathering at the WiM networking events to meet new people, share experiences, and make plans for future actions has become a substantial part of our conferences. I never miss it!”
IEEE WIE: What innovative projects or initiatives are you currently working on that you believe will make a significant impact?
Rivas: “There are three facets of my career that are interconnected: research, teaching, and volunteering.
I lead a wonderful group of people from various disciplines researching the use of magnetic particles and sensors to produce new biomedical tools for diagnosis. The idea is to make practical biodetection platforms that bring healthcare closer to the people. Our research we are close to the application, and that is exciting.
I teach in an Engineering School. Together with our students, we are developing a socio-educational project to bring science and engineering closer to children and teenagers at risk of exclusion through nanotechnology. It is the legacy that the IEEE NANO conference left in our city. The target are children and teenagers at risk of exclusion, who do not have many chances otherwise to become familiar with experiments and young students from all over the world. I am convinced we are making an impact on them, and they are certainly making an impact on us.
As the WiM Chair, I have a great team of committed and active women from all over the world and diverse ages. We organize networking events and in-person research collaboration workshops for WiM at our flagship conferences, and a successful online WiM leadership workshop. We are now broadening our influence by establishing specific mentorship programs in China and Latin America. We are certainly increasing the feeling of sisterhood, solidarity, and collaboration through these activities, and that is the best reward to our efforts.”
IEEE WIE: Can you share a moment when you overcame a significant challenge in your professional journey and what you learned from it?
Rivas: “My first boss bullied me at the beginning of my career. It took me ages to get away from her and her toxic influences. I learned that sometimes you must take a step back to make a big leap forward.”
IEEE WIE: How do you stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in your field?
Rivas: “Conferences, meetings and discussions with my colleagues. Then, publications to deep into the ideas.”
IEEE WIE: What role do you think mentorship plays in the success of young professionals, and how do you approach mentoring others?
Rivas: “One can manage without a mentor, but good mentors can have a positive impact on your life, not just your career. As for me as a mentor? I’d like to say that listening to the mentee is key, but I’m too talkative! (Still, I truly believe listening is essential.) I do my best to strengthen their self-confidence because we can achieve so much when we believe in our abilities.”
