One of the best ways to get women and girls inspired about STEM education and careers is to show what successful female researchers and technicians are already doing in their careers today - and why they are excited about the STEM field. The annual Women in Tech award, presented by futurezone, highlights the most outstanding role models of the year.
The achievements and career path of our immersive analytics area coordinator, XR expert Katharina Krösl, convinced the independent jury, who nominated her for the prestigious tech award alongside Natalie Denk, Head of the Center for Applied Games Research at the University of Continuing Education Krems, and Gabs Chihan Stanley, Creative Director of XR studio vrisch. The award ceremony will take place at a celebratory gala on November 17, 2022.
In her research work, Katharina Krösl specializes in the development of application-oriented extended reality solutions, using computer science and key enabling technologies to create VR tools that revolve around important topics such as research and communication of eye diseases or space weather. She has also been involved in promoting and networking women researchers for many years, e.g., as co-founder of the Austria section of IEEE - Women in Engineering, an international network dedicated to women in tech. In recent years, her research work has repeatedly been recognized with prestigious science awards, e.g., most recently: Honorable Mention at the IEEE VGTC Virtual Reality Outstanding Dissertation Award 2022 as well as the Best Research Demo Award at IEEE VR 2020. Other awards: Young Expert Award 2021 of the Austrian Computer Science Day, 3rd place at the Thesis Fast Forward of Siggraph 2019 and nomination for Best Conference Paper at IEEE Virtual Reality 2019.
Vienna, October 14, 2022