The IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology), has announced the finalists for the 2006 Young Woman Engineer of the Year awards.
The five selected candidates have been chosen, not only for their exceptional academic and technical experience, but also for their active involvement in raising the profile of engineering to young people.
The finalists are :
• Katy Linforth, 26, from Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire. Linforth is an electrical engineer for Kirklees Metropolitan Council. She has successfully implemented a variety of renewable energy projects, for which she has received other award nominations. She regularly shares her enthusiasm for engineering by speaking to students at local secondary schools.
• Stephanie McBader, 27, from Southampton. McBader currently works for Semtech as IC design engineer. She has worked on high profile engineering projects both in the UK and overseas and has spent time as a lecturer in engineering.
• Maire McLoone, 28, from Belfast. McLoone is a lecturer and RAEng research fellow for ECIT Research Institute at the University of Belfast. Her achievements include leading a research team, building international relations and securing funding for her research projects and also giving talks to other young women about the profession.
• Suzanne Stamford, 24, from Eaton Socon. Stamford works as electronics platoon commander for the 3 Battalion REME, HM Forces and is currently serving in Iraq. Suzanne leads a platoon of 35 men, controlling the productive resources and making critical engineering decisions in a variety of areas.
• Claire Williams, 27, from North Yorkshire. Williams currently works as area engineer for Huntsman Tioxide, a pigment man-ufacturer. She helps encourage young people in her local area into engineering and regularly visits local schools to tell students about what she does.
The finalists will attend a national award ceremony at the BT Centre, in London on the 25 January 2007, where the winner will be announced.