26 January 2025
San Francisco, California, US

A Celebration of Women in Optics Program

We hope to see you in San Francisco

Start your Photonics West week off right! Join us for a full day of programming; listen to our distinguished speakers as they share thoughts on superpowers, resilience, building the best teams, navigating the hidden curriculum, and more. Stay until the end for an opportunity to network with your peers.

Location: San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Golden Gate A (Lower Level)
San Francisco, CA

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Light Breakfast and Networking
26 January 2025 • 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Enjoy a light breakfast while conversing with other attendees.
Introduction and Reflection
26 January 2025 • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Join Jennifer Barton and Jess Wade as we kickoff A Celebration of Women in Optics.
Panel Discussion: What's Your Superpower?
26 January 2025 • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Join us for a panel led by women in research, industry, and policymaking as they share their unique experiences and insights.
Panel Discussion: Creating Inclusive Work Environments
26 January 2025 • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Hear a diverse team of experts discuss workplace cultures and practices designed to support women pursuing careers in science.
Networking Lunch
26 January 2025 • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Enjoy lunch while conversing with other attendees at this networking luncheon.
Lightning Talk: A Canary for a Toxic Workplace: Navigating Governance Challenges
26 January 2025 • 1:00 PM - 1:10 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Ursula Keller discusses challenges in academic governance that hinder progress and inclusivity.
Lightning Talk: A Squiggly Career Path from Bench to the C-Suite
26 January 2025 • 1:10 PM - 1:20 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Marla Dowell will cover how to view career progression outside of the standard career ladder.
Lightning Talk: Mom Guilt
26 January 2025 • 1:20 PM - 1:30 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Jessica DeGroote Nelson explores 'mom guilt' and how to achieve balance with your family life and career.
Panel Discussion: Imposter Phenomenon and Resilience
26 January 2025 • 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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The imposter phenomenon: Join us to explore how cultural changes to research culture can enhance individual resilience to these feelings and improve the workplace for all.
Lightning Talk: Too Few Women Authors
26 January 2025 • 2:30 PM - 2:40 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Rachel Won addresses gender bias and imbalance in academic journals, and what journals can do to welcome more women and their research.
Lightning Talk: Leadership
26 January 2025 • 2:40 PM - 2:50 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Muyinatu "Bisi" Bell covers what it means to be a 'research leader,' and how to use your power to advocate for the causes you care about.
Lightning Talk: Establishing a Personal Brand
26 January 2025 • 2:50 PM - 3:00 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Ulike Boehm will explain how, why, and when to establish your personal research brand and how it can help you present yourself to the optics and photonics community.
Panel Discussion: Lessons Learned
26 January 2025 • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Join us as we close with a panel of senior career leaders to hear their career journeys.
Closing and Networking Reception
26 January 2025 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST | Marriott Marquis Hotel, Golden Gate A (Lower Level) 
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Network with colleagues and continue the conversations.