MIT.nano's video: CARBON QUEEN: Lecture discussion book signing with Mildred Dresselhaus biographer Maia Weinstock

Maia Weinstock, Deputy Editorial Director at MIT's Institute Office for Communications, delivered a special MIT.nano seminar on her book "CARBON QUEEN: The remarkable life of nanoscience pioneer Mildred Dresselhaus." Her talk was followed by a discussion with MIT professors Mingda Li, Class ’47 Career Development Assistant Professor, Nuclear Science and Engineering and Frances Ross, Ellen Swallow Richards Professor, Materials Science and Engineering. ABSTRACT Maia Weinstock speaks on the life and work of the extraordinary MIT physicist, electrical engineer, and materials scientist Millie Dresselhaus (1930-2017). As a girl in New York City in the 1940s, Dresselhaus was taught that there were only three career options open to women: secretary, nurse, or teacher. But sneaking into museums, purchasing three-cent copies of National Geographic, and devouring books on the history of science ignited in Dresselhaus a passion for inquiry. Dresselhaus defied expectations and forged a career in solid-state physics, making highly influential discoveries about the properties of carbon and other materials. In so doing, she helped reshape our world in countless ways — from electronics to aviation to medicine to energy. She was also a path-breaking role model for underrepresented individuals in science and engineering and a beloved educator, mentor, and colleague. BIOGRAPHY Maia Weinstock, author of Carbon Queen: The Remarkable Life of Nanoscience Pioneer Mildred Dresselhaus (MIT Press, 2022), is an editor, writer, and producer of science, academic, and children's media. Deputy editorial director at MIT News, Maia previously served as the editorial director at BrainPOP, and as a staff member at Discover, SPACE.com, Aviation Week & Space Technology, and Scholastic's Science World. Maia writes often on the history of women in STEM and on diversity in STEM media. She is also internationally known for her custom LEGO projects including Women of NASA, a LEGO Ideas-winning and Amazon best-selling toy, and Women of Computing, a LEGO Ideas finalist. Maia has also been an MIT lecturer on the history of women in STEM and led efforts to increase the participation and representation of women on Wikipedia.