10 AAPI Women in STEM You Should Know
Inspiration, innovation, and impact—
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and we’re highlighting ten incredible AAPI women in STEM whose contributions have changed the game. Whether you’re pipetting at the bench, coding at your desk, or mapping your next big career move, these women show us what’s possible when talent meets purpose.
Here’s to celebrating the women who make us feel seen and reminding ourselves that there’s no one “right” path in STEM.
Dr. Fei-Fei Li
Computer Scientist + AI Visionary
Known for her groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence and computer vision, Dr. Li helped teach machines how to “see.” She’s also the co-founder of AI4ALL, which works to diversify the future of AI. If you’re curious about the intersection of ethics, tech, and imagination, Fei-Fei’s your north star.
Josephine Santiago-Bond
NASA Engineer + Systems Thinker
Josephine leads NASA’s Advanced Engineering Development Branch and helped identify lunar compounds during the 2017 RESOLVE mission. She’s a testament to what happens when curiosity meets long-term vision and she’s all about paying it forward to the next gen.
Trisha Prabhu
Teen Innovator Turned CEO
At just 13, Trisha created ReThink, an app that stops cyberbullying before it starts. Now, she’s the CEO of a tech company with global impact and a reminder that age is no limit when it comes to meaningful innovation.
Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu
Physicist + Rule Breaker
Nicknamed the “First Lady of Physics,” Dr. Wu’s experiments redefined scientific norms. She worked on the Manhattan Project and helped advance how we detect radiation. Her story is a reminder: stay curious and challenge assumptions.
Dr. Flossie Wong-Staal
Molecular Biologist + Virology Pioneer
Dr. Wong-Staal was the first person to clone HIV and map its genes. Her work paved the way for modern treatments and reshaped global public health. She’s a shining example of impact beyond the lab.
Brenda Chen
XR Artist + Tech Storyteller
Brenda designs immersive media and virtual concert experiences (think: Justin Bieber in the metaverse). Her work bridges the gap between art and technology, showing that STEM can be as creative as it is technical.
Tracy Chou
Software Engineer + Inclusion Advocate
After working at Quora and Pinterest, Tracy co-founded Block Party, an app that protects users from online harassment. She’s also a fierce advocate for diversity in tech, showing that equity and innovation go hand in hand.
Maryam Mirzakhani
Mathematician + Fields Medalist
Maryam made history as the first woman to win the Fields Medal, the highest honor in math. Her research connected complex systems like geometry and topology.
Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott
Marine Botanist + Cultural Bridge Builder
The first Native Hawaiian woman to earn a PhD in science, Dr. Abbott published nearly 200 works on seaweed and marine ecosystems. She was a leader in ethnobotany, blending Indigenous knowledge with rigorous science.
Dr. Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski
Theoretical Physicist + Quantum Wonder
Dubbed “the next Einstein” by some media, Sabrina has worked on topics ranging from black holes to string theory and was accepted to Harvard at the age of 14. Her focus on quantum gravity makes her a rising star in the field of physics.
What This Means for You
These 10 women each took a different path, and that's the point. Wherever you are in your career, keep building, questioning, dreaming, and taking space in the field you love.
You belong here.
