Karen Panetta

Tufts University | Medford, MA | 2010

Karen Panetta Portrait Photo

The official biography below was current at the time of the award. Awardees may choose to provide their latest biographical information on their profile page.

Karen Panetta, a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is dedicated to inspiring youth to pursue engineering and science careers and to dispelling negative stereotypes about women engineers. She has personally mentored 16 classes of women and members of other groups underrepresented in engineering through her Tufts University Nerd Girls program. In this program, Dr. Panetta helps students build confidence in their research skills by engaging them in real-world projects that serve humanity. Ninety-eight percent of all students graduating from Dr. Panetta’s program pursue a graduate degree within three years of receiving their undergraduate degree in engineering.