Joyce Wong’s Journey in Engineering and Advocacy
By Lydia Lu
For women and non-binary individuals, breaking into the engineering field can be riddled with challenges and barriers. However, even in the face of these obstacles, there are trailblazers like Professor Joyce Y. Wong (BME, MSE), who serves as a beacon of support and empowerment for female students and individuals determined to excel in engineering. As part of her diverse research endeavors, Wong holds positions as a professor of biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering at Boston University’s College of Engineering. Wong leads projects in tissue engineering, particularly in developing blood vessel patches for pediatric applications, and most recently has pivoted to tissue/organ-on-a-chip for women’s health applications. Additionally, her work extends to the development of targeted nano- and micro-particle contrast agents for multi-modal detection of abdominal adhesions, revolutionizing diagnostic and theranostic techniques.
With a steadfast commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, Wong is not only shaping the future of biomaterials engineering but has also championed diversity and inclusion through her previous work as the inaugural director of Boston University’s ARROWS organization, which she led from 2014 to 2023. ARROWS (Advance, Recruit, Retain, and Organize Women in STEM) aims to coordinate and integrate programs that promote the advancement of women across the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. In this Q&A, Wong discusses her experiences entering the engineering world and her pivotal role in fostering inclusivity and advancing opportunities for women in STEM.