Natalie Panek Explained

Natalie Panek
Alma Mater:	University of Calgary University of Toronto
Employer:	MDA
Known For:	Aerospace Engineering Science Communication

Natalie Panek is a Canadian working in aerospace engineering. She works in the robotics and automation division of the space technology company MDA.

Education

Panek grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where she was the only girl in her high school physics class.^[1] She competed in the North American Solar Challenge in 2005. Panek completed a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Calgary in 2007.^[2] She earned a masters in aerospace engineering at the University of Toronto in 2009.^[3] In summer 2008, she worked at Goddard Space Flight Center.

Career

After graduating, Panek attended the International Space University at Ames Research Center. Panek works at the space technology company MDA where she works on Canadian space exploration and robotics. She is on the engineering team building the chassis and locomotion systems for European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover.

Public engagement

In 2012, Panek created the STEM mentorship blog The Panek Room, which offers career advice to girls and connects them mentors.^[1] Panek regularly gives interviews about her career and campaigns for increased representation of women in science.^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]} She spoke at the 2016 Women of Influence and 2017 Girl Talk Empowerment conferences.^{[10] [11]}

Alongside her work and advocacy, Panek enjoys backpacking.^[12]

Awards and honours

2013 - University of Calgary Graduate of the Last Decade Award

2015 - Forbes 30 under 30^[13]

2015 - Flare magazine's 30 under 30^[14]

2016 - Wings Magazine Top 20 under 40^{[15] [16]}

Notes and References

1. News: Rocket Scientist Natalie Panek Wants To Go To Space. And Take More Women With Her.. 2016-03-08. HuffPost Canada. 2018-03-05. en-CA.
2. News: Past Arch Awards Recipients. University of Calgary. 2018-03-05. en.
3. Web site: Natalie Panek. University of Toronto Alumni. en. 2018-03-05.
4. News: Rocket Scientist Natalie Panek Keynote on Breaking Boundaries. 2016-06-17. Inside The Perimeter. 2018-03-05. en-US.
5. News: Ms. Chatelaine: Space explorer Natalie Panek. 2016-05-01. Chatelaine. 2018-03-05. en-US.
6. News: Natalie Panek: Rocket Scientist, Explorer. 2015-03-27. Create the Future. 2018-03-05. en-US.
7. News: Natalie Panek: Rocket scientist. Women in STEM advocate. Pilot. Aspiring astronaut.. TechRepublic. 2018-03-05. en.
8. News: Rocket scientist encourages young women to shoot for the stars in their career choices. 2017-11-03. Windsor Star. 2018-03-05. en-US.
9. News: Natalie Panek Is Revolutionizing How We Think About Women In Tech. 2013-08-27. Women You Should Know®. 2018-03-05. en-US.
10. News: Aspiring Astronaut Natalie Panek on #WomenInSTEM. 2016-09-06. Women of Influence. 2018-03-05. en-US.
11. News: Natalie Panek shares her empowering journey as a female rocket scientist. Breakfast Television Toronto. 2018-03-05. en-CA.
12. News: Rocket scientist Natalie Panek speaks at Cobourg event. Wisniewski. Dominik. 2017-05-08. NorthumberlandNews.com. 2018-03-05. en-CA.
13. Web site: Natalie Panek, 29 - pg.22. https://web.archive.org/web/20150110094834/http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehde45ekmdk/natalie-panek-29/#758515cc4595. dead. January 10, 2015. Knapp. Alex. Forbes. 2018-03-05.
14. News: 30 Under 30: Natalie Panek, Rocket Scientist - Flare. 2015-03-09. Flare. 2018-03-05. en-US. 2018-03-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20180306083751/http://www.flare.com/tv-movies/30-under-30-natalie-panek-rocket-scientist/. dead.
15. Web site: Top 20 Under 40 Winners Revealed . WINGS . Annex Business Media . 12 December 2020 . July 5, 2016.
16. Web site: Bradshaw . Stacy . Top 20 under 40 special: Above and beyond . WINGS . 12 December 2020 . July 8, 2016 . Annex Business Media .