The STEM Demystified Digital Portal is now live, a new home for real STEM stories made for teachers, educators, and curious young learners. Built to make STEM feel closer, friendlier, and genuinely possible, the portal brings together global role‑model stories, interactive exploration, and classroom‑ready inspiration. It’s a growing resource designed to help children see themselves in STEM, and to give educators an easy way to bring real‑world representation into lessons. Explore the portal at stemdemystified.com.
Welcome to another edition of STEM Demystified, a project to tackle the under-representation of women in STEM. This weekly Newsletter showcases how women are conquering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics worldwide.
Meet Dr. Cordelia Mattuvarkuzhali Ezhilarasu, an inspiring leader in the field of AI and Prognostics and Health Management (PHM). Currently a Senior AI Research Scientist at SLB Cambridge Research, Cordelia’s academic and professional journey spans continents, industries, and disciplines. With a PhD in Aircraft Health Reasoning, sponsored by Boeing, and extensive research in Machine Consciousness, Cordelia’s expertise bridges aerospace, industrial engineering, AI, and health monitoring.
Her early passion for aeronautics led her to earn both her Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering and a Master’s in Industrial Engineering from Anna University in India. Over the years, she has worked across various industries, including energy, semiconductors, and fuel cells, developing cutting-edge health monitoring and data analysis tools. Her multifaceted career has made her a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). A Six Sigma Black Belt, published researcher, and advocate for women in STEM, Cordelia exemplifies versatility, persistence, and dedication.
Let’s dive into Cordelia’s remarkable journey, where determination meets innovation, and see how she’s shaping the future of AI and STEM.
What was your trajectory from school to where you currently are professionally/academically?
I have always been interested in aeroplanes. By the time I was 14 I knew I will study Aeronautical Engineering. After graduating my Bachelors in the same, I did Masters in Industrial Engineering. That was my turning point from being an aeroplane ‘fan’; I started appreciating the wider concept of engineering, the common things and nuances between different engineering fields, and the power of probability and statistics.
My first job was Data Analysis engineer in an energy industry and then I moved on to semi-conductor as a Senior Industrial Engineer, where I got my Six sigma Black Belt from American Society for Quality. After 4 years of work, I wanted to pursue research and I moved to the UK to do a PhD in Aircraft Health Management. This was followed by Post Doc and after which, I started as a Research Scientist in the energy industry last year.
I am always interested in developing transferable skillset which I can apply across different industries and applications of engineering.
What motivated you to get into STEM? Did you have a female role model or anyone who inspired you? If so, who?
I was very interested in aeroplanes and rockets, and a big fan of Dr. Kalpana Chawla who did Aeronautical Engineering in India and moved to the US, to follow her dreams and work in NASA. So naturally, I wanted to be like her. But personally, my role models are my mum who worked in a public-service department dominated by males and retired as a director, and my dad who made it possible by supporting her throughout. Their dedication to our family and work is the prime example for achieving my work-life balance.
What’s your most important professional/academic achievement?
Every time I get recognized for something for academic or professional achievement like getting a medal for one of the top grades, getting certified as Six Sigma Black Belt by ASQ at the age of 26, presenting my research at the House of Commons for STEM for Britain event, being named as a finalist for Top 50 Women in Engineering, or as Top 5 shortlisted science candidates for Women of the Future Awards, they all feel important at that time.
But the achievement that had the most impact on me is getting my PhD, while having my 8-month-old baby, amidst a pandemic! My PhD journey started when my husband encouraged me to take the research path and took a loan to finance my journey to the UK. Later he moved here as well to support me through the oftentimes difficult PhD journey. I had a great supervisor/ mentor; with the professional support of my supervisor and personal support from my husband, (and my family being my cheerleaders) I completed my PhD (almost) on time!
My husband and I had our baby when I was doing my last phase of research and when the pandemic started. We handled everything on our own, but I had severe post-partum anxiety for some months. To cope with my anxiety, I did what I know best, research. During long nights when our little one wont sleep, when I run out of lullabies and stories to talk, I talked about my PhD thesis structure and how I should write my next paper, to help the little one to sleep. It almost felt like the little one was my co-author in all my contributions. During long hours of breastfeeding, I will run my simulations and write thesis on the side, because doing anything else gave me anxiety.
Doing research was my lifeline while navigating my new motherhood. Completing my PhD with minimal comments is what I consider my most important achievement both personally and professionally, as it reminds me of the journey I had with my family.
Did you face any challenge throughout your professional/academic journey? How did you overcome it?
Despite hailing from a very small town in a southern state of India, I never had any trouble in my family about pursuing my dream. I liked big machines, I wanted to study about aeroplanes and rockets, my parents were very encouraging. So I naturally assumed that all girls study what they like and take up dream jobs.
I did not anticipate the shock I received when I moved to a city for Bachelors. I was told by a male classmate that I wasted a ‘well-deserved’ male student’s college seat because I’d get married in the future and wouldn’t pursue engineering. We had to ‘dress down’ sometimes, since many had the opinion that girls who dress up are not good for studies. We weren’t offered to take flying classes or industrial trips because we didn’t have female staff to accompany us. A couple of lecturers even commented why do we try hard, as we’ll just stay at home after college. That’s when I realised that women live in a very different world than men. I started observing what women had to go through, especially my mum, to build a career in male-dominated field. It made me appreciate my parents even more, because I was clearly privileged to have not faced any of this within my family.
This also motivated me to never give up my passion for engineering no matter what the society expects! Since then, I have been learning about the struggles faced by women in different places and cultures and I have been vocal about the importance of girls not giving up their dreams. I take any chance to talk to school children about why STEM is important and fun and anyone can take it up!
There is always an opinion on how women should look, what should they do, basically about anything and everything about women. Recently, the one that affected me is the ‘outsiders’ comment on choosing to continue my career after I become a mum. I am becoming more resilient about these comments and trying to be a good role-model for my child to show not to give up on my dreams.
In your opinion, what needs to be done to attract more women into STEM?
Representation! The children I have talked to, during my STEM visits to schools have been amazed/ shocked that I have worked in these fields. I have noticed that both boys and girls in primary age are equally enthusiastic about STEM field, but the numbers go down for girls in middle and high school. A more in-depth chat with them expose that they think girls can study only certain fields, which is unfortunate. Children who have role models (representations) in their families are confident of the fields they choose. We should be able to do the same for children whose families are in different fields. We need to showcase/ represent more women from across all of STEM fields to school children of all ages, so they are not intimidated or sceptical about choosing their favourite STEM fields.
What advice would you give to anyone looking into a career in STEM (or those who do not consider it)?
- Never give up! Path to STEM careers can look intimidating from the outside, but it’s about the same as any other field, do not hesitate to seek for opportunities.
- Be prepared to take different paths even within STEM field. After all most fields are interconnected, you might enjoy the different engineering applications.
- Talk to others. Sharing your stories with counterparts and listening to theirs will help gain perspectives, whether personal or professional.
- There is no one exclusive path! Everyone’s life and circumstances is different, so while learning lessons from others’ experiences, be willing to adapt based on what suits the best for you!
Dr. Cordelia Ezhilarasu’s story is all about never giving up, adapting to changes, and always going after her dreams. Her ability to move across diverse industries while maintaining her passion for engineering and research is an inspiration for women in STEM everywhere. From overcoming gender biases during her academic years to balancing her professional life with motherhood, Cordelia’s story shows us that with resilience and the right support, no challenge is too great.
Cordelia is not only pushing boundaries in AI and Prognostics and Health Management but also playing a crucial role in advocating for gender representation in STEM. Her message to never give up, explore new paths, and share experiences with others is an empowering call for the next generation of women leaders in STEM.
