Women in Engineering | Interview with Dr. Juana Isabel Méndez Garduño—Guest Editor of Processes

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), observed annually on 23 June, is a global initiative that celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in engineering while inspiring more young women to pursue engineering careers. This year, under the theme “Together We Engineer”, we were sincerely honored to interview Dr. Juana Isabel Méndez Garduño, Guest Editor of Processes (ISSN: 2227-9717).

The following is a short interview with Dr. Juana Isabel Méndez Garduño:

1. Could you share the story of your journey into engineering?

My journey into engineering is defined by an interdisciplinary vision and a drive to break boundaries. I began as an architect, captivated by the potential of technology to transform our built environment and address urgent sustainability challenges. As my interest in digital tools and energy management grew, I realized that engineering offered both the analytical foundation and creative possibilities needed to make a broader impact.

Motivated by this realization, I pursued a Ph.D. in engineering sciences and, just this year, completed a bachelor’s in electronics design engineering, marking the formal integration of engineering into my academic and professional identity. Throughout my career, I have actively sought to bridge architecture, engineering, and design, collaborating on multidisciplinary courses and projects, and filing patents that span architecture, engineering, digital twins, and artificial intelligence.

I am also a proud recipient of the 2025–2026 COMEXUS Fulbright-García Robles scholarship and look forward to beginning a postdoctoral research stay at UC Berkeley in August 2025. I hope my path encourages others to embrace interdisciplinary journeys and to create their unique impact in engineering and society.

2. What do you enjoy most about your work as an engineer? What made you feel recognized and welcomed in your workplace?

I find deep satisfaction in working at the crossroads of creativity, technology, and social responsibility. Engineering empowers me to address real-world challenges, from energy efficiency to educational innovation, and to witness the tangible positive effects on people’s lives. Recognition has come through collaborative successes, such as publishing impactful research, receiving the 2024 Woman Tec Award under the environment category, or seeing my students thrive with the methods and tools I help create. I feel especially welcomed in workplaces that value diverse backgrounds and interdisciplinary ideas, and where teamwork and open collaboration are encouraged. These environments allow me to contribute authentically and grow alongside others who are equally committed to making a difference.

3. What key experiences or inspirations led you to dedicate your career to engineering research, and how do you sustain that passion in your work?

I did not discover the world of formal research until I began my doctoral studies; before that, my professional focus as an architect was on design projects, construction management, and real estate. However, I have always been driven by curiosity and a love for learning, constantly seeking to connect new knowledge across disciplines. For example, I experimented early on with visual programming and dynamic façades and later explored how Arduino and visual coding could be applied within architectural projects.

A turning point came through a specialization in digital processes, where technical and artistic approaches merged. There, I saw the potential for design solutions grounded in technical fundamentals, while also recognizing the environmental impact of digital workflows, which often consume significant energy and resources. This awareness sparked my interest in simulation and modelling as tools to optimize designs before real-world implementation.

My passion for engineering research truly crystallized during my doctorate, when I was finally able to bring together all my previous interests, architecture, digital tools, sustainability, and technical rigor, to generate new ideas and solutions. This also led me to pursue a degree in electronics design engineering, so I could better integrate electronics with architecture and promote more efficient and sustainable processes.

Collaborating with researchers from UC Berkeley, UC Davis, TechnoEvolutionAI, Arizona State University, MIT, Universidad del Medio Ambiente, UNAM, IPN, among others, broadened my perspective and exposed me to new research methodologies and ways of thinking. I am deeply grateful to my mentors, whose guidance and critical feedback have constantly encouraged me to push boundaries and take on new challenges.

Most importantly, I am especially thankful for the unwavering support of my family, particularly my parents and my spouse, which has been essential in sustaining my passion for research and innovation. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my spiritual guide whose teachings and support have provided me with strength, clarity, and purpose throughout my journey.

4. From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges female researchers face in your field?

One of the most significant challenges for female researchers is the lack of clear and stable career pathways in academia, an issue I have personally encountered throughout my career. For instance, I ultimately decided not to pursue a third year of postdoctoral research because opportunities for advancement and professional growth were limited, particularly for those who had already completed their studies within the same institution. Even when one stands out as an “outlier” in terms of performance or results, achievements are not always fully recognized if you are perceived as an “internal” candidate. The value of your contributions can be easily overlooked in favor of external candidates. On the other hand, these barriers have also motivated me to seek out new opportunities and broaden my horizons. 

Beyond this, I have observed that workload and recognition are not always distributed equitably. It can be discouraging to see significant contributions go unacknowledged, especially when women frequently take on critical responsibilities behind the scenes. Additionally, it is important to recognize that gender biases and barriers do not always originate externally; at times, they are inadvertently reinforced within our own communities, sometimes even by other women, due to internalized machismo (cultural biases) or competitive dynamics. This reality can make the environment even more challenging, as meaningful progress depends on genuine solidarity and mutual support. 

Furthermore, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles, often face implicit biases, and may have reduced access to mentorship or influential networks. Collectively, these factors can contribute to feelings of isolation, frustration, or even burnout.

Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic. I believe that fostering open dialog, supporting one another, and advocating for inclusive policies and transparent practices are essential steps towards creating a more equitable and fulfilling environment for all researchers, especially women in engineering.

5. What distinctive strengths do female engineers bring to academic research, and what strategies would you recommend for leveraging these advantages in career development?

Female engineers often bring a holistic and systems-oriented approach to research, integrating technical rigor with creativity, empathy, and a strong sense of social responsibility. These qualities are especially valuable in interdisciplinary environments where complex challenges require not only technical expertise but also collaboration, adaptability, and the ability to see the “big picture.” I have seen that women frequently excel at building inclusive teams, managing multiple perspectives, and fostering open communication, traits that drive innovation and lead to more robust, well-rounded solutions.

One experience that stands out for me was when a former program director recognized this unique blend of skills and entrusted me to teach a specialization course to architecture students on digital twins and their application in design. She specifically chose me because she saw the potential in combining rigorous engineering with a creative, human-centered approach.

The results were remarkable: students were highly engaged, and their feedback highlighted not only the technical skills they gained but also how the experience transformed their perspective on architecture, motivating them to explore new roles and embrace the integration of advanced technologies in their professional practice. Many noted that the course helped them see the value in bridging the digital and physical worlds and in developing solutions that respond to contemporary and future challenges in architecture.

To leverage these distinctive strengths, I encourage women to actively seek roles where their interdisciplinary skills are valued, to build strong mentoring relationships (both as mentors and mentees), and to continuously expand their networks, especially in spaces that promote diversity and innovation. Investing in communication and leadership development is also essential, as these abilities amplify technical contributions and help create inclusive environments where new ideas can flourish.

Ultimately, embracing and showcasing these qualities of openness, adaptability, and a commitment to both technical excellence and human impact can lead to more meaningful and influential careers, while also inspiring and empowering the next generation of professionals and experts across disciplines. 

6. Could you share a specific example from your research projects where gender diversity directly contributed to innovative problem-solving or unexpected breakthroughs?

Certainly. In a research and teaching project at Tecnológico de Monterrey, we developed a creative identity transformation framework for architectural education using digital twins. Our team of instructors and researchers included both women and men, each bringing expertise from different disciplines such as architecture, engineering, cognitive design, and digital fabrication.

This diversity, across gender, discipline, and perspective, was essential in shaping the pedagogical approach. Different team members brought a range of viewpoints: for example, some emphasized inclusive user experiences and narrative-driven digital twin applications, while others focused on system optimization and technical strategies. This complementary dynamic fostered open discussions, challenged assumptions, and encouraged a balance of technical rigor and human-centered creativity.

As a result, students engaged in a truly interdisciplinary, reflective, and innovative process. For instance, during the development of multisensory and neuroadaptive architectural prototypes, the team’s diverse viewpoints helped ensure that projects addressed not just technological novelty but also cognitive engagement, accessibility, and long-term relevance. This experience reinforced my belief that teams with a range of backgrounds, not only related to gender but also expertise, are best equipped to design technically robust and socially relevant solutions.

7. Based on your experience, what strategic career planning approaches and skill-building priorities would you recommend to early career female researchers in engineering?

Based on my interdisciplinary path, I recommend that early career female researchers embrace flexibility and seek opportunities that allow them to broaden their expertise across fields. Building a solid technical foundation is important, but it’s equally valuable to develop skills in areas such as data analysis, digital tools, and communication, abilities that open doors in both academia and industry.

I also encourage new researchers to actively seek out mentors who can provide guidance and honest feedback. Engaging in collaborative projects, including those outside your main discipline, helps to build confidence, adaptability, and a robust professional network.

Don’t hesitate to participate in conferences, workshops, or short courses, even if they feel outside your comfort zone. These experiences can be transformative, exposing you to new ideas and helping you discover areas where you can stand out. Likewise, developing strong writing and presentation skills will make it easier to share your work and gain recognition.

Finally, be proactive in advocating for yourself; apply for scholarships, grants, and international opportunities, even if you doubt you “fit the mold”. Sometimes, being an outlier or having an unconventional background is precisely what makes you unique and valuable. Most importantly, remember that resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to lifelong learning are among the greatest assets for building a fulfilling and impactful career in engineering.

8. What concrete actions could academic publishers like MDPI take to better support and amplify the work of women in STEM fields?

Academic publishers can play a transformative role in advancing gender equity in STEM. One concrete action is to proactively invite more women to serve as editors, Guest Editors, and reviewers, roles that both recognize expertise and offer valuable leadership experience. For instance, I was recently invited to be a Guest Editor for the Special Issue “Manufacturing Processes and Thermal Properties of Composite Materials” in the journal Processes, which was a meaningful opportunity to help shape the field and promote diverse perspectives.

In addition, publishers can spotlight women-led research through dedicated features, interviews, or thematic issues, and actively promote the visibility of women’s contributions across their platforms. Providing mentorship programs or editorial workshops targeted at early-career female researchers could help build skills and confidence for those interested in scientific publishing.

Finally, I believe it is important for publishers to collect and transparently report data on gender representation in authorship, editorial boards, and peer review. This accountability enables ongoing improvement and demonstrates a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in STEM.