Celebrating the 2026 Winners of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature

Announcing the 2026 Sony Women in Technology Award Winners

On February 19, 2026, the Sony Group Corporation, in partnership with Nature, proudly announced its second annual Sony Women in Technology Award winners. This initiative welcomes exceptional women researchers from the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics who are making significant contributions toward a better society and planet. Each award recipient will receive a grant of $250,000 to support their research endeavors.

Winners Overview

This year, the prestigious awards recognized three remarkable women for their groundbreaking work:

1. Early-Career Awardee: Dr. Xiwen Gong
Dr. Gong, an early-career researcher, received the award for her innovative research focusing on the molecular design of solution-processed semiconductors. By enabling continuous health monitoring and facilitating personalized therapeutic interventions, her work represents a significant step forward in enhancing precision healthcare.

2. Mid-Career Awardees:
- Dr. Ellen Roche
Dr. Roche was recognized for her interdisciplinary approach that integrates cutting-edge technologies to develop implantable and wearable medical devices. Additionally, she has contributed to building robotic and computational simulators that enhance the testing of device-tissue interactions, aiming to improve cardiac treatment methods.
- Dr. Zhen Xu
Dr. Xu has made pioneering strides as a co-inventor in the field of histotripsy, a novel technique that allows for non-invasive surgery using ultrasound technology. This innovative approach tackles major health challenges in oncology, neurology, and cardiovascular medicine. Her advancements in histotripsy for liver tumor treatment have even garnered FDA approval.

Celebrating Their Contributions

Hiroaki Kitano, Chief Technology Fellow at Sony Group Corporation, expressed pride in honoring this year's awardees, stating that their outstanding contributions exemplify the goals of the award to support women in technology and inspire future generations. Kitano emphasized the importance of these researchers in pushing the boundaries of science and technology for societal benefit.

Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of Nature, echoed these sentiments, lauding the award as an inspiration for young women in STEM fields. She believes that the creativity and scientific excellence demonstrated by this year's finalists showcase the transformational power of technological innovation.

About the Sony Women in Technology Award

The Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature aims to highlight and support the vital contributions of women in technology. By awarding substantial funds to innovative researchers, Sony and Nature encourage a diverse and inclusive environment in the technical and scientific communities.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate the 2026 winners, we eagerly anticipate how this program will evolve in the future, continuing to uplift and empower women in science and technology fields. Both organizations are committed to fostering an ecosystem that champions diversity, innovation, and excellence.

For more information about the Sony Group Corporation and its commitment to technological advancement, visit Sony's Official Website. Additionally, to explore the impactful works of Nature Portfolio, please refer to Nature’s Official Site.