September 1, 2009 | Eli Freund - School of Engineering

Alumna Sharon Nunes Named To 2009 WITI Hall Of Fame

UConn engineering alumna Dr. Sharon Nunes has been named one of four female leaders to be inducted into the 2009 WITI (Women in Technology International) Hall of Fame. The honor highlights the role of women in advancing vital scientific and technological innovations and encourages young girls and women to become more technologically literate, as well […]

UConn engineering alumna Dr. Sharon Nunes has been named one of four female leaders to be inducted into the 2009 WITI (Women in Technology International) Hall of Fame. The honor highlights the role of women in advancing vital scientific and technological innovations and encourages young girls and women to become more technologically literate, as well as to choose careers in science and technology.

PHOTODr. Nunes will receive the award — along with Patricia S. Cowings of the NASA Ames Research Center, Maxine Fassberg of Intel Israel, and Dr. Carolyn Turbyfill — during WITI’s 20th Anniversary Summit in June.

Dr. Nunes is Vice President of Big Green Innovations at IBM Corporation. Big Green Innovations (BGI) launches new IBM businesses that leverage the company’s expertise in information technology and in materials and processing to solve critical environmental challenges. Since 2007, she has led a worldwide team of information technology (IT) and domain experts who are developing solutions in carbon management, photovoltaics and water management. In collaboration with clients and partners, IBM is demonstrating how IT can be applied in managing the world’s water systems and in helping companies to lower their carbon emissions.

Dr. Nunes has held numerous executive positions leading new growth initiatives at IBM. On a special assignment as Vice President of Technology, she worked with IBM’s Chairman and the senior executive team to set the technical agenda for the company. She has held many managerial positions in IBM’s Research and Development unit, led the launch of IBM’s Computational Biology Center in 1997, and was an executive leader of the Life Sciences business unit launched in 2000.

An energetic advocate for women in technology, Dr. Nunes was awarded the Frances E. Allen Mentoring Award in 2004, and was named a NAFE “Women of Excellence” national award winner in 2006 for her impact in mentoring technical women. She is a leader on IBM’s Women in Technology Executive Committee, launched IBM’s Technical Women’s Leadership Forum in 2007, and is a member of IBM’s executive advisory council for SWE (Society of Women Engineers). In 2009, she was designated a Women’s History Month Honoree as one of the “Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet.”

She received her M.S. (’80) and Ph.D. (’83) degrees in Materials Science at UConn and has retained strong ties with the School of Engineering. Dr. Nunes is a member of the UConn Engineering Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for the University of Connecticut Foundation. In 2006, she was inducted into the UConn Academy of Distinguished Engineers. Read more about Dr. Nunes and BGI athttp://www.engr.uconn.edu/SoE/ibmstory.php.

WITI is the nation’s leading trade association for professional, tech-savvy women committed to using technology, resources and connections to advance women worldwide. Learn more about WITI here.