Vector Photonics’ Anna O’Dowd has been short-listed for the TechWomen100 awards; a WeAreTechWomen initiative helping to raise the profile of women in technology. WeAreTechWomen aims to increase the number of women in tech; support companies wishing to attract, retain and develop female talent; upskill and enhance womens’ careers; encourage girls into STEM; and share effective initiatives which build awareness of successful women in technology careers.
Anna is a Design Engineer at Vector Photonics where she has built a design simulation package for the company’s all-semiconductor, PCSEL devices. It allows multiple elements of a PCSEL to be designed simultaneously, accelerating the commercialisation of the technology into data-centre and co-located optics markets.
Anna said, “It’s a privilege to work in Vector Photonics on PCSELs, a new class of laser. It is exciting to be involved from the beginning, making me one of the first women in the sector. I am passionate about science and technology and see these awards as my chance to role model, influence, and mentor other women. Vector Photonics has supported OUP (Opening up Photonics) since the beginning, which champions inclusivity, accessibility, and diversity and we have staff on its steering committee. The TechWomen100 awards align with that agenda, recognising the revolutionary work I have done and putting Vector Photonics on the map as one of the most exciting and progressive start-ups in the UK.”
Anna has a First-Class degree in Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology, from Lancaster University, where she was amongst the top students, course representative and Physics ambassador. She went on to do an MSc in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from the University of Glasgow – graduating top in her class. She is a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and is currently working towards chartered engineer status.