Women in Engineering

The Future of Women in Engineering: on ground and beyond, to Moon and Mars

Thursday 14:00, 19th September

Inspirational talks and an interactive panel discussion on diversity and inclusion in STEM

Diversity in this field is anything but straightforward. Women remain a minority in the sector, and we aim to shed light on their experiences today as we shape a vision for the future.

The event, themed “The Future of Women in Engineering: on ground and beyond, to Moon and Mars”, is co-organized by the RADNEXT project and sponsored by GlobalFoundries. “With humans returning to the Moon and beyond, it is more than urgent the need to discuss how to include more diversity in space exploration missions”, affirmed Dr. Ygor Aguiar, Associated Scientist at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) and organizer of the event. Therefore, we invite you to join this important conversation and learn with us.

You’ll have the opportunity to engage directly with our panelists, posing questions and challenging them on topics such as barriers to gender equality, affirmative action, intersectionality, and more.

Event highlights:

  • Inspiring talks from trailblazing women engineers and scientists
  • Dynamic panel discussions on how diversity and inclusion drive innovation and excellence
  • Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals and allies committed to advancing gender equality in STEM

This event isn’t just about celebrating achievements – it’s about sparking meaningful conversations and driving real progress towards a more equitable future. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a student eager to make your mark, or an ally dedicated to fostering diversity, your voice and perspective are essential.


Panelists and their messages



Dr. Cristina Plettner obtained her PhD in experimental nuclear physics from Technological University of Dresden in Germany. She held two postdoctoral Research Fellow positions, one at GSI Darmstadt and one in Yale University, Connecticut. First position in the industry was with the IBM Watson Research Laboratory, NY, where she was involved with the Single Event Effects group. Her career in space began with Airbus Bremen, Germany, where she was System Engineer Radiation for the European Service Module for Artemis missions and later Line Manager. She joined ESA and she has been supporting several projects as Radiation Hardness Assurance Engineer. Cristina is passionate about gardening, photography, nature, and human rights.

We are at the dawn of a new era in space exploration. When we are coming back to the Moon, we will do it in a different mindset than ever before: a woman and a person of colour will set foot on the Moon. This will be a major achievement and is reflecting the advancements in our society.

But we need to do more. We, men and women, researchers, engineers, and scientists, are asked to think over our patterns of thinking and reacting, together to shape a better future for women in engineering. —  Cristina Plettner

Dr. Deniz Civay is Deputy Director for Aerospace and Defense at GF where she leads the Harsh Environment battleground. When she started at GF 13 years ago she worked in R&D inventing novel technologies utilizing fedex flows integrated to active technologies resulting in 10 patents and many papers. She is PMP certified. Dr. Civay earned her PhD in Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her BS in materials science engineering at the University of Washington. She’s passionate about supporting women in engineering and helped to create GlobalWomen and GlobalFamilies.

‘What you focus on grows’ is a phrase used in business to align priorities to action. I am excited to be part of this year’s Women in Engineering (WIE) panel at RADECS. The WIE panel gives focus to women that work in engineering to understand the challenges and successes that will enable us to grow the percent representation to parity. Looking forward to your questions and shared insights at RADECS. See you there! —  Deniz Civay

Dr. Yulia Akisheva stands as an award-winning aerospace engineer and dedicated advocate for gender equality, currently at the forefront of ground-breaking research in the field. In 2023, she gained a PhD in the Protective Use of Regolith for Planetary and Lunar Exploration (PURPLE) – a venture supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), TRAD Tests & Radiations, and ISAE-SUPAERO under the esteemed ESA OSIP collaboration platform. Today, Yulia works as a freelancer consulting space exploration projects and coaching engineers in effective communication.

Gender equality is an issue that impacts all of us - 100% of the population. Science and engineering shape our daily lives, touching everything from our routines on Earth to our future ambitions on the Moon and Mars. Achieving diversity and inclusion in these fields is no simple task, but it is the only path to meaningful progress, both here and beyond our planet. By coming together with open minds and hearts, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive. —  Yulia Akisheva


Event is sponsored by GlobalFoundries