Dr. Robin Murphy, Raytheon Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University, was invited to give an inspirational talk at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Women in Engineering International Leadership Conference (WIE ILC) in San José, California, in May.
The theme of the conference was “Lead Beyond - Accelerating Innovative Women Who Change the World.” Murphy’s talk “Robots, Disasters and Refugees: How Unmanned Systems are Helping," was part of the innovation track at the event.
WIE ILC provides women in technology from all backgrounds and professions the opportunity to fuel innovation, facilitate knowledge sharing and provide support. Their mission is to inspire, engage and advance women in engineering through outreach, technical seminars, humanitarian projects, networking events and educational programs.
There was a record attendance of 1,500 women in engineering at all stages of their careers at the conference. Other speakers included Peggy Johnson, executive vice president, business development at Microsoft; Lily Chang, research and development vice president, VMware; Lakshmi Puri, deputy executive director, UN Women; and Maria Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College.
“I was proud to represent Texas A&M at this event,” Murphy said.
Murphy currently directs the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue, and is an IEEE Fellow, a TED speaker and a founder of Roboticists Without Borders. She has worked in disaster robotics research and deployment since 1995 and has deployed ground, air and marine robots in disasters world-wide.