Six Auburn researchers recognized as trailblazing women in tech

Auburn University researchers are being honored for breakthroughs and leadership spanning aerospace, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, water quality and human-computer interaction in Business Alabama's Women in Tech 2026 list. 

The annual list highlights women who are driving innovation, advancing research and shaping the future of technology across Alabama. 

“Auburn University scientists are moving the needle in finding innovative solutions through their research while guiding emerging scholars who will use technology to tackle problems of the future,” said Jennifer Kerpelman, associate vice president for research. “We applaud these trailblazing women for their leadership, commitment and technical ingenuity.” 

The six Auburn honorees include: 

• Symone Alexander, assistant professor of chemical engineering, whose research transforms agricultural waste into high-performance materials and explores biopolymer-based solutions for toxin remediation. Alexander is also the founder of Shellulose, a biotechnology startup dedicated to producing low-cost, sustainable cellulose fiber from pecan shells, transforming an abundant agricultural byproduct into high-performance materials. 

• Casey Eaton, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering, recognized for her work on complex systems design and STEM outreach through Alabama Girls in Science and Engineering Day. Her NASA-funded research has received the Systems Engineering Research Consortium Barry Boehm Award and is the recipient of the Wiley Systems Engineering journal’s Top Cited Article award.  

• Kelly Griggs, research engineer IV in biosystems engineering, honored for advancing water quality research through Auburn's National Poultry Technology Center. Her work is noted for helping provide poultry industry professionals with user-friendly technology in evaporative cooling systems.  

• Suhasini Gururaja, professor of aerospace engineering and director of the Advanced Materials and Processing Laboratory, recognized for developing lightweight, high-performance materials for aerospace, transportation and energy applications, including projects with NASA and the U.S. Army. 

• Neha Potnis, associate professor of bacteriology in entomology and plant pathology, recognized for research that strengthens plant health and crop resilience and for her work mentoring future scientists. Her scholarly efforts include exploring new methods for protecting vegetable crops such as tomatoes from bacterial pathogens and disease. 

• Missie Smith, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering, honored for research examining how people interact with emerging technologies and process information. Smith is internationally known for her studies of human factors in the use of immersive technologies and has mentored over 160 early-career researchers.