Bianca Keeler

Bianca E. N. Keeler Senior Member of Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, USA Country of origin: USA

I have been interested in science for as long as I can remember. My field of choice cycled through first, biology, then genetics, math, and physics before I ultimately discovered my passion for optics. I find, however, that even within the narrower filed of optics my choices remain nearly unlimited. For example, my graduate work was in the field of optoelectronics and photonics. I then had the opportunity to do research in the area of optical MEMS and nanophotonics, and I have since moved on to exciting work in satellite optical systems for remote sensing.

I am fortunate to be able to say that during my 10 years of education at both the University of Iowa Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the Stanford Applied Physics Department, I never once had anyone tell me that I couldn't succeed, even excel, at my chosen work simply because I am a woman. I instead received great encouragement and support from each of my professors and colleagues, for which I am grateful.

The best part of my job by far is the wide variety of people with whom I work. Each one has a different background and knowledge base, and a unique way of looking at a problem. I continue to learn something new every day.