Announcing the “100 Brilliant and Inspiring Women in 6G™”- List for 2025
On 14th February 2025, Women in 6G™ proudly presents the 100 Brilliant and Inspiring Women in 6G—List for 2025! Following the success of last year’s inaugural edition, we continue our mission to spotlight the established leaders, trailblazers, visionaries, and rising stars who are shaping the future of wireless technology.
The 6G revolution is being driven by researchers, engineers, and industry leaders working on groundbreaking innovations — from AI-driven networks to next generation multiple access schemes. This year, we recognize 100 exceptional women making a remarkable impact in the field, pushing the frontiers of wireless communication, and paving the way for a more connected, intelligent, and sustainable world.
Why This List Matters?
Telecom has long been a male-dominated field, but many women are breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes with their remarkable contributions. Despite the challenges, they are driving innovation, leading groundbreaking research, and shaping the future of wireless technology.
6G is more than just the next evolution of wireless communication — it is a technological revolution set to transform industries, societies, and global connectivity. Women in this space are at the forefront, making pivotal contributions to key 6G candidate technologies, including AI-driven networks, terahertz communications, RIS, NTN, Security and more.
This list not only celebrates their achievements but also aims to inspire future generations of women to explore careers in wireless technology and research.
The 100 Brilliant and Inspiring Women in 6G are:
- Admela Jukan, Professor at TU Braunschweig, Germany
- Agapi Mesodiakaki, Senior Researcher at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
- Albena Mihovska, CTO at SmartAvatar B.V., Netherlands
- Amina Boubendir, PhD , Head of Research and Standardisation atAirbus Defence and Space, France
- Ana Garcia Armada, Professor at Charles III University of Madrid, Spain
- Andrea Goldsmith, Professor, Princeton University, USA
- Angeliki Alexiou, Professor at University of Piraeus, Greece
- Anna Maria Vegni, Associate Professor, Roma Tre University, Italy
- Antonella Molinaro, Professor of Telecommunications at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Italy
- Arsenia (Ersi) Chorti, Professor at ENSEA, France
- Athina Petropulu, Professor at Rutgers University, USA
- Aurora Ramos, Lead 5G/6G Connectivity & Networks at Capgemini Engineering, Spain
- Aylin Yener , Professor at The Ohio State University, USA
- Azimeh Sefidcon, VP, Head of Network Systems and Security Research, Nokia Bell Labs
- Bahare M. Khorsandi, Senior Staff Research Engineer at Nokia Strategy & Technology, Germany
- Basak Ozan Özparlak, Assistant Professor, Özyeğin University, Turkey
- Besma Smida, Associate Professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
- Boya Di, Assistant Professor at Peking University, China
- Branka Vucetic, Professor and Peter Nicol Russel Chair in Telecommunications Engineering at University of Sydney, Australia
- Carla Fabiana Chiasserini, Professor, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
- Chih-Lin I, Chief Scientist of Wireless Technologies at China Mobile, China
- Christina Chaccour, Network Solutions Manager at Ericsson, USA
- Cicek Cavdar, Associate Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
- Dajana Cassioli, Associate Professor of Telecommunications Engineering at University of L’Aquila, Italy.
- Devaki Chandramouli, Head of North American Standardization at Nokia, USA
- Diana Pamela Moya Osorio, Associate Professor at Linköping University, Sweden
- Dimitra Simeonidou, Professor at University of Bristol, UK
- Dinh Thuy Phan Huy , Head of Orange Expertise/Networks of the Future Experts, Orange, France
- Elza Erkip, Professor at New York University, USA
- Eva Lagunas, Research Scientist at University of Luxembourg- SnT, Luxembourg
- Eva Pongracz, Professor of Energy Systems and Environmental Engineering at University of Oulu, Finland
- Fanny Parzysz, R&D Engineer, Orange, France
- Fatemeh Hamidi-Sepehr, Wireless Research/Standard Scientist, Intel Labs, USA
- Güneş Karabulut Kurt, Professor and Tier-1 Canada Research Chair at Polytechnique Montréal, University of Montréal, Canada
- Hanaa Abumarshoud, Assistant Professor at University of Glasgow, UK
- Hanna Bogucka, Professor at Poznan University of Technology, Poland
- Hina Tabassum, Associate Professor, York University, Canada
- Ingrid Moerman, Professor, Ghent University, Belgium
- Jianhua Zhang, Professor at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China
- Jyotsna Bapat, Professor at International Institute of Information Technology- Bangalore, India
- Leila Musavian, Professor at University of Essex, UK
- Lian Zhao, Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada
- Liesbet Van der Perre, Professor, KU Leuven, Belgium
- Lina Bariah, Adjunct Professor, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
- Lina Mohjazi, Associate Professor, University of Glasgow, UK
- Marica Amadeo, Assistant Professor at University of Messina, Italy
- Marie Hogan, 6G Portfolio Strategist at Ericsson, Sweden
- Marina Petrova, Professor, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
- Marja Matinmikko-Blue, Director of Sustainability and Regulation at 6G Flagship, University of Oulu, Finland
- Marwa Chafii, Associate Professor, New York University (NYU), Abu Dhabi
- Maryam Hafeez, Associate Professor, University of Leeds, UK
- Melike Erol-Kantarci, Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in AI-Enabled Next Generation Wireless Networks and tenured professor at University of Ottawa, Canada
- Merve Saimler, Senior Researcher at Ericsson Research, Turkey
- Mona Ghassemian, Expert of 6G Research in Vertical Industry Sectors, Huawei, UK
- Mona Jaber, Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, UK
- Monisha Ghosh, Professor at University of Notre Dame, USA
- Muriel Medard, Professor at MIT, USA
- Neha Sharma, Director of 6G Research Lab, Samsung R&D Bangalore, India
- Nidhi Simmons, Lecturer and Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow, Queen’s University Belfast, UK
- Nuria González Prelcic, Professor at UC San Diego, USA
- Octavia A. Dobre, Professor at Memorial University, Canada
- Özlem Tuğfe Demir, Assistant Professor at TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Turkey
- P. Rajalakshmi, Professor at, Indian Institute of Technology- Hyderabad, India
- Pawani Porambage, Senior Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre Finland
- Peiying Zhu, SVP of Wireless Research, Huawei
- Qurrat-Ul-Ain Nadeem, Assistant Professor at New York University, Abu Dhabi
- Rajitha Senanayake, Senior Lecturer at University of Melbourne, Australia
- Rashmi Kamran Bhatia, Senior Project Executive Officer at IIT Bombay, India
- Rose Qingyang Hu, Department Head at Virginia Tech Bradley Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, USA
- Sara Pizzi, Assistant Professor at Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Italy
- Sennur Ulukus, Professor at the University of Maryland at College Park, USA
- Sheetal Kalyani, Professor at Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras, India
- Shilpa Talwar, Director of Wireless Systems Research, Intel Corporation, USA
- Shu Sun, Associate Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
- Shuowen Zhang, Assistant Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
- Shuai Nie, Assistant Professor at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
- Sinem Coleri, Professor at Koc University, Turkey
- Sofie Pollin, Professor at KU Leuven, Belgium
- Sonia Aïssa, Cyrille-Duquet Chair Professor at INRS, University of Québec, Canada
- Sumei Sun, Executive Director at Institute for Infocomm Research, Singapore)
- Toktam Mahmoodi, Professor at King’s College London, UK
- Tugba Erpek, Co-Founder and Principal Scientist at Nexcepta Inc, USA
- Valeria Loscri, Research Director at INRIA, France
- Xi Li, Senior Researcher at NEC Laboratories Europe, Germany
- Xiaoli Chu, Professor at the University of Sheffield, UK
- Xueli An, Head of 6G Network Architecture and Verticals Research Group at Huawei Technologies, Germany
- Yansha Deng, Associate Professor at King’s College London, UK
- Yijie (Lina) Mao, Assistant Professor at ShanghaiTech University, China
- Yongxu Zhu, Professor at National Communications Research Laboratory, Southeast University, China
- Yonina Eldar, Professor at Weizmann institute of Science, Israel
Rising Stars:
91. Anna Gaydamaka, PhD student at Tampere University, Finland
92. Annapurna Pradhan, Tenure-track Professor at Woxsen University, India
93. Bishmita Hazarika, Postdoctoral Fellow at Memorial University, Canada
94. Maria Diamanti, Postdoctoral Researcher at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece.
95. Parisa Ramezani, Postdoctoral Researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
96. Shimaa Naser, Postdoctoral Fellow at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
97. Swarna Bindu Chetty, Research Associate at University of York, UK
98. Vida Ranjbar, PhD Researcher at KU Leuven, Belgium.
99. Yasemin Karacora, PhD student at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
100. Zahra Mobini, Research Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Some key facts to note about the 2025 list:
- We reviewed over 450 nominations to select the final 100 for this year. While most names came from nominations, we also went beyond the submissions to recognize a few exceptional individuals who truly deserve to be on this list.
- The names are listed in alphabetical order, as we do not assign rankings. Each woman on this list is a leader in her own right, has made phenomenal contributions to 6G technology, and deserves equal recognition for her impact.
- We do not charge a nomination fee or require nominees to fill out lengthy forms. However, each profile has been carefully evaluated.
- Beyond titles, research papers, patents, and awards, we have focused on recognizing individuals who are shaping the future of 6G.
- This list was curated by Pavithra Nagaraj (Director of Women in 6G) in collaboration with a diverse group of experts who volunteered their time to review the nominations.
Looking Ahead
As 6G research and development continue to accelerate, the contributions of these brilliant women will shape the industry for years to come. Women in 6G™ remains committed to amplifying voices, fostering inclusivity, and supporting the next generation of women in wireless technology.
Women in 6G™ extends our heartfelt congratulations to all the incredible minds who have earned their well-deserved spots on this prestigious list! Your contributions in the field have not only been acknowledged but celebrated.
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