Building the Future for Women in STEM

Savannah Eisner wears many hats—professor, advocate for women in STEM, mother of two, and the principal investigator at Eisner Transformative Harsh-Environment Electronics Research Laboratory. Despite juggling these roles, Eisner is always driving technological advancements while championing diversity in the engineering field.

Since joining Columbia Engineering’s Department of Electrical Engineering in 2023 as an assistant professor, Eisner has taught courses on solid state devices-materials. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the IEEE Aerospace Best Paper Award, and in addition to her academic achievements, she is advocating for women in STEM. 

“Women in engineering still face challenges like limited mentorship opportunities and imposter syndrome, despite significant progress in overcoming gender biases over the past decade,” says Eisner. “As I mentor female students and adjust to life as a mother of two, I strive to demonstrate that achieving balance between professional success and personal fulfillment is not only possible but valuable.”

Eisner continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in semiconductor research while inspiring the next generation of female engineers. Whether she’s in the classroom, the lab, or advocating for women in the industry, her work exemplifies the power of perseverance, curiosity, and community. Columbia Engineering sat down with Eisner to hear her journey and her advice for students. 

You are an advocate for increasing women's participation in STEM fields. As a working mom, can you share some struggles or stigma that women face when entering the engineering field? Are there any initiatives or programs you have been involved with that aim to support and encourage women in STEM careers?  

While there has been progress in overcoming long standing gender biases, hurdles like limited mentorship opportunities and imposter syndrome still persist. Women, especially those balancing a STEM career and family life, often face questions about their commitment to their work. I’ve seen firsthand how critical female role models are in this space. 

Personally, my female peers and mentors have provided guidance, support, and inspiration, proving that it is possible to thrive in both your personal and professional life. I continue to mentor female students, showing them that achieving balance, while difficult, is valuable. I’m still adjusting after welcoming my second baby in April, but I find strength in seeing others succeed in similar situations.

Your work has significant implications for environmental monitoring. How do you see the development of micro/nanoelectronic sensors impacting our ability to monitor and address environmental challenges? 

Micro/nanoelectronic sensors are transforming environmental monitoring by providing precise and real-time data that can be used to address challenges like air and water quality, pollution levels, and natural disaster prediction. Their small size and low power consumption allow them to be deployed in various environments, including remote areas. These sensors will play a key role in safeguarding our environment and promoting sustainability by enabling more effective environmental management and better-informed policy decisions.

You previously worked as an avionics engineer at SpaceX. How has that experience influenced your current research and academic pursuits?  

My internship at SpaceX was pivotal in shaping my career path. I worked on electronic component reliability for space applications, which sparked my interest in advanced semiconductor devices. My time there made me realize the importance of advanced education, which led to my decision to pursue a PhD. The experience taught me how critical reliability is in harsh environments like space, and that directly influences my current research in wide-bandgap materials for extreme conditions.

Your research focuses on (ultra)wide-bandgap micro/nanoelectronic devices. What excites you most about the potential applications of your work?  

I was initially drawn to the field of semiconductor devices when I discovered that a single iPhone chip contains billions of transistors. The capability of humanity to mass-produce these tiny micro and nano devices, with features as small as one billionth of a meter, fascinated me and sparked my desire to learn how it’s done. As I delved deeper into semiconductor devices, my summer internships and REU experiences exposed me to the critical issue of device reliability for space and automotive applications. This awareness led me to see the potential of (ultra)wide-bandgap materials in addressing significant societal challenges.

As I often tell my students, pursuing a PhD is a long journey with inevitable bumps along the way. If we knew exactly what we were doing, it wouldn’t be called research. Engineering research, in my view, stems from a blend of curiosity and the drive to solve significant problems. Whenever I encounter roadblocks in my device research, I revisit the potential applications to reignite my curiosity and passion. I am committed to working on projects where the applications genuinely excite me. I also enjoy networking with professionals outside my expertise, such as Venus planetary scientists, and continuously learning from others.

Could you elaborate on your work with nanoscale structures and integrated devices? What are some of the most promising developments you've encountered?  

One of the most exciting developments is the progress in the synthesis of wide-bandgap materials like aluminum nitride and diamond. These materials offer exceptional thermal conductivity and radiation tolerance, making them ideal for use in harsh environments. Their efficiency in energy conversion and signal processing opens up new application spaces, particularly in renewable energy and telecommunications. These advances are enabling us to push past the limits of traditional silicon technology.

Your dissertation focused on uncooled GaN transistors for space applications. How does this contribute to advancements in space technology?  

My research demonstrated that GaN transistors could operate at high temperatures without cooling, which is vital for space missions where thermal management is a challenge. GaN devices hold great promise for missions to planets like Venus, where conditions are extreme. These transistors also have high radiation tolerance and power efficiency, making them ideal for space environments. They could significantly enhance the reliability of spacecraft systems, opening up new possibilities for exploration.

What advice would you give to aspiring engineers?  

For aspiring researchers in the field, my advice would be pursue research topics that genuinely excite and inspire you. Passion often drives innovation and perseverance through challenges. Don’t be afraid to knock on doors, attend workshops, and seek to build relationships with experienced researchers and mentors who can offer guidance, feedback, and support throughout your career. And ensure you develop strong skills in presenting and writing about your research. Clear communication is crucial for sharing your findings and making an impact in your field.

Looking ahead, what do you believe are the most critical new frontiers in micro/nanoelectronics, and how do you envision your research evolving?  

Personally, I am very optimistic that the development of ultra-sensitive and selective sensors will enhance our ability to monitor environmental conditions and detect biomarkers in medical diagnostics. Part of my research focuses on improving sensor performance, durability, and integration into diverse applications. As these new frontiers mature and are actualized, our device technology needs to mature with it. This means we have to balance the investigation of new materials with unique properties that can enhance device performance and enable novel applications, while working to integrate these advanced devices into practical systems and scaling technologies to meet the demands of emerging applications in a reliable and cost-effective manner. It’s an exciting time for semiconductor device research as we move into the “beyond Silicon” and “More than Moore” era!