Advancing Women Innovators (Synthesis Lectures on Engineering, Science, and Technology)

This book investigates the various reasons why women are lagging in innovation and provides realistic strategies for women to improve their impact in innovation.  Although there have been significant strides in women serving in STEM positions and in STEM careers, women are still not contributing to the world of innovation and commercialization at the same rate as men.  Of all awarded patents, women represent only 18% of the primary patent holders, and this book explores reasons why women are not submitting patents at the same rate as their male peers and identifies strategies for advancing women innovators.  The author’s own experience with the patenting process and participating in regional and national panels to discuss this disparity in women innovators is reflected.  Readers will benefit from insights as to why women may not be coming forward with innovative ideas as well as perspectives on a robust and innovative approach for problem solving  that lead to patents and innovation.

Deandra Cassone, Ph.D., PMP, recently served as the Director of Research Activities, Biomedical Informatics at the University of Missouri and the Administrative Director of the PCORnet Clinical Research Network for the Greater Plains Collaborative. She received a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Kansas State University. Her 20 years of consulting experience involved working with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and the military applying decision science and analytical methods to solve complex problems. Her 10 plus years of experience working for Fortune 100 companies includes serving as a subject matter expert and in management positions in domain areas such as technology development, logistics operations, operational excellence, strategic project management, and manufacturing operations. She has been awarded twelve patents and a corporate-wide innovation leadership award. Dr. Cassone has developed and taught eleven different graduate engineering courses over the last fifteen years as an adjunct professor for Missouri University of Science and Technology and a full-time professor at Kansas State University. Currently, Dr. Cassone is an Adjunct Senior Professor of Practice at Kansas State University and is the president of consulting and investment businesses. She has published several books in the fields of applied decision science and engineering leadership.