The 2023 Women of Color Technologist of the Year Award was won by a scientist who has revolutionized the healthcare industry: Mary Hor-Lao.
Mary's groundbreaking innovations, including leading the development of the world's most miniature rechargeable implantable pulse generator and spearheading breakthrough technologies that help patients suffering from chronic pain and movement disorders, made her an easy winner from the shortlist.
Mary received her award during the Women of Color STEM Conference gala in Detroit.
"Over the past three decades, my journey through the high-tech industry has been filled with groundbreaking achievements," Mary said in her acceptance speech.
Her achievements include a portfolio of over 140 patents filed worldwide in healthcare, wireless, locations, and sensor technologies.
"I led the creation of many features such as GPS navigation, Google Maps, and context-aware modality that you can find on your smartphones today," Mary told the audience. "But I knew I wanted to make an even more significant impact on people's lives. So, I moved my family to Dallas and joined Abbott's Neuromodulation Business as the director of R&D. At Abbott. I lead the development of complex software projects for our life-changing neuromodulation technologies that help improve people's lives by managing chronic pain and movement disorders."
As director of R&D Software Abbott Neuromodulation, Mary has revolutionized the healthcare industry through her innovations.
Her remarkable journey and transformative work make her deserving of this award.
"I am honored and humbled by the decision of the review committee to grant me this prestigious award," she said. "My story is hard to tell, and sometimes I get emotional when I share it, but I must share this with you because it is a story of never giving up."
Mary was seven when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia in 1975. The ensuing genocide claimed the lives of over 2 million people.
Mary's family was separated, and she was placed in a work camp where she lived in a dormitory with about 40 other children. Every morning, she would wake up early to toil in hot, muddy rice fields, always under the threat of punishment.
At the same time, she was responsible for caring for her grandparents, carrying water from the river to ensure their survival.
Her formative years as a child were marked by fear, hard labor, hunger, sleepless nights, and silent tears.
In September 1980, Mary's parents made a courageous decision to flee Cambodia. While the refugee camp in Thailand offered a safer haven, it was not without its challenges.
Less than a year later, the family moved to a Chicago suburb, where they reunited with family who had emigrated years before. Mary started school again at age 12, learning the alphabet, English, and math.
Her parents had to work multiple jobs, and as the eldest of five, she had to care for four younger siblings and manage the household.
Mary also dealt with teasing and bullying. But her hardworking parents were an inspiration. She started high school after a year of special education.
Her parents played a crucial role in her success as the first to attend college, graduating with high honors from the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign Electrical Engineering program. Her STEM journey began as a summer intern at Motorola.
Starting her full-time career as a firmware engineer, she has earned recognition for her leadership, innovations, creativity, and quality.
