Microsoft Research has more than 1100 Ph.D. researchers pushing the boundaries of computing in more than 65 different computer science disciplines in 13 researcher labs around the world. We support those who dream the impossible—inventing a better world one idea at a time. We collaborate with the world’s top academic and scientific researchers, institutions, and computer scientists to shape the future of computing in fields such as parallel programming, software engineering, natural user interfaces, and data-intensive scientific research. Our collaborations help us develop technologies to help solve some of the most urgent global challenges. In this session, you’ll learn how we are solving HIV with an anti-spam algorithm, helping people with CPR in emergency situations, enabling communities to thrive, eradicating human trafficking of minors through technology and bridging the gap between sciences and humanities through new visualizations in education. More importantly, I will also discuss the important role women play in computer science and how you can join me in changing the world and produce the future innovations that will make this world a better place.
Rane Johnson is the Education and Scholarly Communication Principal Research Director, where she engages with academics worldwide and identifies high-impact areas for research investigations. She is currently working on projects that use technology to transform how we learn about history and how we eradicate human trafficking. Rane is also the lead for growing, attracting and retaining women in research, science and engineering. She is actively working with NCWIT, Anita Borg, CRA-W, ACM-W, IEEE-W and researchers on how to grow the pipeline of women in research, science and engineering. She has been selected to lead several Whitehouse committees to support human trafficking and technology inclusion.