Karen Panetta is an IEEE Fellow and the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Tufts University. She has been called a “Rock Star of Engineering and Science” and the “Princess Warrior” of engineering and science education for her work championing young women to embrace their creative talents and brainpower to innovate cool technology that has the power to improve lives. 

As the founder of the international Nerd Girls program, Karen has conducted engineering outreach activities with more than 85,000 children, parents, and educators, and she has been recognized for her unwavering commitment to promoting the image of the “Nerd Girl” as a talented, well-rounded woman who can take on any challenge to solve real-world problems.