This year’s Women of Innovation Awards, the 10th edition staged by the Technology Association of Iowa, were awarded Monday night to leaders in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. 

Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, received the Legislative Advocacy Leader Award for her continued advocacy for STEM internship funding.

Other winners included: 
Research innovation and leadership: Alicia Carriquiry, an Iowa State University statistician who works on applying statistics to human nutrition, bioinformatics, forensic sciences and traffic safety.

Academic innovation and leadership: Deborah Kent, an associate professor of mathematics at Drake University, who believes in fusing technological advances with traditional mathematical thinking. 

Entrepreneurial innovation and leadership: Amy Lank, president, American Power Systems Inc. of Davenport, whose work involves merging technology and innovation. 

Leadership innovation: Michelle Bates, founder and CEO, BluPrairie, an independent cloud strategy and design partner. 

Company innovation and growth: Kum & Go, which has worked with the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s STEM internship program and has supported women in STEM fields.

Rising star: Bailey Anderson, user experience designer, Principal Financial Group, a master’s candidate in human computer interaction at Iowa State University. 

Diversity champion: Amanda Pietsch, process pro, John Deere, who works with students interested in engineering. 

STEM champion: Chris Cournoyer, Quad City Engineering and Science Council, who has worked with students on coding, robotics and Lego competitions.

Student winners and recipients of $2,500 scholarships were:
Collegian innovation and leadership: Patricia Izbicki, a doctoral candidate at Iowa State University, who is studying the effect of music therapy on the brain. 

Youth innovation and leadership: Danielle Panning, junior, Valley Lutheran High School in Cedar Falls, who is pursuing a career in forensic science or medical research.