As AI-Powered Cybercrime Surges Past $10 Trillion, California Cyber Expert Unveils the Only Authentication System Built to Withstand It
Netlok’s patented Photolok platform replaces passwords, biometrics, and passkeys with AI-resilient visual authentication — a solution a decade in the making for a crisis that has finally arrived

SANTA BARBARA, CA (April 2026) — The global cybersecurity crisis has entered a new and far more dangerous phase. Artificial intelligence has handed attackers the tools to automate credential theft at unprecedented speed, and the identity systems billions of people rely on every day — passwords, biometrics, and passkeys — are falling one by one. Netlok, LLC, a California-based cybersecurity innovator, is answering with Photolok, the first and only patented identity platform engineered from the ground up to be AI-resilient.

The numbers are staggering. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $16.6 billion in cybercrime losses in 2024, a 33% surge over the prior year1. Industry researchers at Cybersecurity Ventures project global cybercrime damages will reach $10.5 trillion in 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015 — the largest transfer of economic wealth in history2. According to Microsoft’s 2025 Digital Defense Report, more than 97% of identity attacks now rely on password spray or brute-force methods, and Microsoft alone blocks approximately 7,000 password attacks per second3.

“AI is the invisible world. In the physical world, if somebody runs a red light and hits your car, you can see the damage and you deal with it. With AI, you cannot see it coming, and you do not understand how you are going to be attacked. That’s what makes this threat so overwhelming — not just to the U.S., but to the world.” — Tony Perez, CEO, Netlok LLC4

Deepfake technology has rendered facial recognition, voice verification, and fingerprint scanning fundamentally unreliable — 47% of organizations reported experiencing deepfake-based attacks in the past year5. Passkeys, widely promoted as the successor to passwords, depend on those same compromised biometrics as their first step. According to Perez, incremental fixes no longer change attacker economics.

“Traditional IAM solutions are outdated. Innovative invention is always ahead of the market, and I saw this coming in 2015. No one was taking the replacement of passwords seriously until the Sony breach. Now, with AI, the situation is grave from top to bottom.” — Tony Perez6

Photolok replaces the traditional identity and access methods with photo-based login designed around how the human brain naturally works. Users randomly receive three photos from Photolok’s custom library during setup. At login, they identify those photos from randomized visual portfolios — a process that takes ten to fifteen seconds and requires no passwords, no biometric data, and no memorized codes. Four layers of randomization — cryptographic, behavioral, temporal, and deceptive — protects the user’s identity from AI attacks with every session. Because nothing is static and nothing repeats, AI has nothing to learn, replicate, or predict.

Photolok also introduces Situational Security features that protect the person, not just the credential. Duress Photos act as a silent alarm if a user is logging in under coercion. One-Time Photos self-destruct after a single use to defeat shoulder-surfing. The technology is protected by granted patents spanning the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia, and Mexico.

About Netlok, LLC
Netlok, LLC is a Santa Barbara, California-based cybersecurity company and creator of Photolok, a patented photo-based identity platform that eliminates passwords and resists AI-driven attacks. Founded by serial inventor Tony Perez — whose prior inventions include a patented safety syringe developed during the AIDS epidemic — ARP-IP (Perez) holds granted patents across the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia, and Mexico. Photolok’s visual authentication method leverages the brain’s natural ability to recognize images, delivering an identity solution that is both ultra-secure and effortlessly human. For more information, please visit www.netlok.com.   
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SOURCES & CITATIONS
1.  Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 2024 Internet Crime Report. The IC3 received 859,532 complaints in 2024 with $16.6 billion in reported losses, a 33% increase over 2023. Available at: https://www.ic3.gov
2.  Cybersecurity Ventures, 2025 Official Cybercrime Report. Global cybercrime damage costs are predicted to reach $10.5 trillion annually in 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. Cited by Cybercrime Magazine as the industry’s most widely referenced cybercrime projection. Available at: https://cybersecurityventures.com
3.  Microsoft, Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2025 (October 2025). More than 97% of identity-based attacks rely on password spray or brute-force techniques. Microsoft processes over 600 million identity attacks daily, blocking an estimated 7,000 password attacks per second. Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/security
4.  Tony Perez, CEO, Netlok LLC. Interview with Christie & Co, April 6, 2026. Direct quotation.
5.  iProov, Threat Intelligence Report 2025. 47% of organizations surveyed reported experiencing deepfake-based identity attacks. Corroborated by Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2025, which documented a 195% increase in AI-generated ID usage globally. Available at: https://www.iproov.com
6.  Tony Perez, CEO, Netlok LLC. Interview with Christie & Co, April 6, 2026. Direct quotation. Netlok’s foundational patents were filed in January 2015; Netlok LLC was incorporated in 2017. Patent documentation available upon request.

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The technology has been validated in 23 pilots across the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Space Force, and Microsoft, achieving <0.5 millisecond latency and up to 2 Gbps throughput, all while consuming less than 8 watts of power.

The urgency: With the White House’s mandate requiring federal agencies to transition to post-quantum cryptography now — December 2025, and 2026 being the year quantum computer makers will deliver working prototypes, Forward Edge-AI has battle-tested, field-ready technology deployed today.

Why this matters:

The patent (U.S. Patent No. 12,452,301 B2) covers a breakthrough in hardware-based cryptographic resilience, achieving cryptographic switching as low as sub-millisecond when under attack. Government specs typically require 30 seconds or less; no competing solution has met that threshold. Forward Edge-AI exceeded it by orders of magnitude.

Traditional one-way data diodes can’t support encryption (encryption requires two-way exchanges), leaving data vulnerable to Harvest Now, Decrypt Later attacks. Isidore Quantum solves this by enabling true one-way data flow WITH post-quantum encryption, a capability that’s unique in the market.

Unlike legacy diode systems, which require expensive fiber optic infrastructure, Isidore works on both fiber and copper, enabling organizations to deploy quantum-safe protection without disrupting existing networks.

Here’s the press release:

Forward Edge-AI Ships First Quantum-Resistant Hardware to National Central University in Taiwan and Secures 5th Patent

Milestone patent allowance and international partnership advance quantum-safe cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and defense research

SAN ANTONIO, TX, December 2, 2025  — Forward Edge-AI, Inc., a leader in trusted autonomy and quantum-resilient cybersecurity, today announced two major milestones in advancing quantum-resistant communications: the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for its patent application covering attack-resilient, trust-verified communications, and the company has successfully delivered its Isidore Quantum® One-Way Data Diode to National Central University (NCU) in Taiwan.

Breakthrough Deployment to National Central University

The delivery of Isidore Quantum® to National Central University marks a significant milestone in cross-national research collaboration on next-generation cyber defense technologies. The deployment advances quantum-resistant data security research and demonstrates the operational readiness of Forward Edge-AI’s technology in critical infrastructure environments. Traditional one-way diodes, which rely on fiber optic hardware isolation, cannot support encryption, encryption typically requires two-way exchanges for key negotiation. Isidore Quantum achieves a breakthrough: it enables true one-way data flow while simultaneously supporting NIST-approved post-quantum encryption using AES-256 GCM and ML-KEM.

This capability is unique and addresses a critical vulnerability: traditional one-way diodes prevent unauthorized network access but do not protect data in flight from Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL) attacks. Without encryption, data flowing through conventional diodes remains vulnerable to interception and future decryption. Isidore Quantum solves this by combining unidirectional enforcement with quantum-resistant encryption, ensuring captured data remains protected even against future quantum computers.

Additionally, unlike traditional diode systems that require expensive fiber optic infrastructure, Isidore Quantum operates seamlessly on both fiber and copper networks. This means organizations can deploy quantum-safe, one-way data protection without costly infrastructure replacement, dramatically reducing deployment time and capital expense. “Delivering Isidore Quantum to National Central University underscores our shared commitment to protecting global critical infrastructure from the coming quantum threat,” said Eric Adolphe, CEO of Forward Edge-AI. “This partnership symbolizes how technology and research collaboration can prepare nations to face the realities of Q-Day.”

The patent, U.S. Patent No. 12,452,301 B2, titled “Methods, Systems, Apparatuses, and Methods for Facilitating Attack-Resilient Communications Between Devices,” secures Forward Edge-AI’s leadership in developing hardware-based cryptographic resilience for critical communications, a foundational advance for post-quantum security. The patented system introduces a trusted network switch architecture that maintains secure communications between devices, even under attack or when exposed to compromised networks. Unlike traditional encryption, which relies solely on software protocols, Forward Edge-AI’s solution embeds cryptographic verification and isolation directly into the network hardware layer. This ensures message integrity, authenticity, and confidentiality, even in environments where adversaries have advanced computational capabilities.

The innovation enables:

Tamper-resistant encryption relays between trusted elements

Dynamic re-encryption and authentication of data packets in transit

Hardware-enforced trust boundaries that isolate compromised components

Cryptographic switching as low as sub-millisecond when under attack—a critical breakthrough for operational continuity

Traditional security requirements mandate cryptographic failover within 30 seconds or less during attack scenarios. Forward Edge-AI’s patented architecture achieves switching as low as sub-millisecond under attack conditions, exceeding government specifications by orders of magnitude. While switching times can vary based on network conditions, ranging from sub-millisecond to as high as six seconds, the system consistently performs well below the 30-second threshold that no competing solution has yet met.

This innovation was made possible through U.S. Government support under Agreement Number FA8075-23-C-0003, awarded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The government retains certain rights in this invention, underscoring its national security relevance.

Preparing for Q-Day and the HNDL Threat

As global cybersecurity leaders warn of Q-Day, the moment quantum computers can break today’s encryption, Forward Edge-AI’s technology addresses the urgent need to defend against Harvest Now, Decrypt Later (HNDL) attacks. Isidore Quantum encrypts data unidirectionally using AES-256 ML-KEM and ML-DSA post-quantum algorithms, ensuring that data captured today remains protected well into the future of quantum computing, a capability traditional one-way diodes cannot provide. “Q-Day isn’t a distant risk; it’s a certainty,” said Eric Adolphe. “Our patented Switch Isidore architecture provides the trust fabric needed to secure command, control, and communications across defense, finance, and critical infrastructure sectors in the quantum era.”

Isidore Quantum has been tested and validated in 23 pilots across the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Space Force, and Microsoft, achieving <0.5 millisecond latency and up to 2 Gbps throughput. The device consumes less than 8 watts of power, operates silently without fans, and is exportable under license exception ENC (ECCN 5A002). “Every competitor still has something in the lab. We have something in the field,” said Ross Coffman, President of Forward Edge-AI and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General. “Given the federal mandate to begin the post-quantum transition by December 2025, only proven solutions like ours can meet the deadline.”

The White House’s Executive Order 14144 requires all federal agencies to begin the post-quantum transition by December 2025 and complete it by 2030. Isidore Quantum allows organizations to comply instantly, without disruption, re-certification, or re-architecture.

About Forward Edge-AI

Forward Edge-AI, Inc. is a leader in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions and quantum-resistant technologies for defense, government, and critical infrastructure. The company’s flagship product, Isidore Quantum®, combines post-quantum encryption, AI-enabled resilience, and software-defined network control to deliver future-proof protection against emerging digital threats. Visit www.forward-edge.ai for more information.

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Media Contact:

Julia Wilson-Williams

Julia.wilson@sparkpr.com

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New “Super-Earth” Discovered in Habitable Zone – A newly identified exoplanet, GJ 251 c, is generating excitement among astronomers. Located just 20 light-years away, this “super-Earth” is estimated to be nearly four times the mass of our planet and is likely a rocky world. Most importantly, it orbits within its star’s “Goldilocks Zone,” the region where conditions are right for liquid water to potentially exist on its surface, making it a prime candidate in the search for life.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251113071618.htm

A Flurry of Comets Visit Inner Solar System – November has been a busy month for comet watchers. The third-ever confirmed interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, made its reappearance in the pre-dawn sky around November 11. It is traveling on a hyperbolic orbit, meaning it will pass through our solar system once and never return. Close on its heels, amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov (who also discovered the first interstellar comet) spotted C/2025 V1. While initially thought to be interstellar, analysis suggests it is a rare Oort Cloud comet making its very first journey toward the sun, offering scientists a look at pristine material from the dawn of the solar system.

Source (3I/ATLAS): https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/3i/atlas-set-to-reappear-on-11-november-2025-how-to-see-the-rare-interstellar-visitor-and-what-it-reveals-about-deep-space/articleshow/125205505.cms

Source (C/2025 V1): https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/c/2025-v1-could-this-mysterious-comet-reveal-secrets-of-our-solar-system/articleshow/125293835.cms

Technology

Valve Announces Three New Steam Hardware Devices – Following the success of the Steam Deck, Valve has announced a new family of hardware set for release in early 2026. The lineup includes a Steam Machine (a console-style PC), a Steam Frame (a standalone VR headset), and an updated Steam Controller.

Source: https://steamdb.info/blog/steam-hardware-2025/

Anthropic Plans $50 Billion AI Data Center Network – AI firm Anthropic has unveiled an ambitious $50 billion plan to construct a massive new network of AI data centers across the United States. The project, in collaboration with Fluidstack, will begin with facilities in Texas and New York to meet the surging global demand for AI infrastructure.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/ai-boom-anthropic-to-invest-50-billion-in-us-data-centre-network-with-fluidstack-texas-and-new-york-first-in-line/articleshow/125279353.cms

UK Law to Pro-actively Test AI for Child Safety Flaws – The UK government is introducing a new law that will permit tech companies and child safety agencies to legally test AI models for their ability to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The goal is to identify and build in safeguards before the AI is released to the public.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/12/tech-companies-child-safety-agencies-test-ai-tools-abuse-images-ability

Engineering

Quantum Leap in Diamond-Based Sensing – Physicists have engineered entangled spin systems within diamonds, creating a quantum sensor that surpasses the limits of classical-based sensors. This breakthrough could lead to the development of next-generation quantum sensors that are both significantly more powerful and more compact.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/engineering/ (Headline: “Entangled Spins Give Diamonds a Quantum Advantage”)

New Catalyst Efficiently Converts CO2 into Fuel – Researchers have developed a new copper-magnesium-iron catalyst that can transform carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO), a key building block for clean synthetic fuels. The new catalyst operates at low temperatures and demonstrates record-breaking efficiency and stability.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/engineering/ (Headline: “Turning CO2 Into Clean Fuel Faster and Cheaper”)

CERN Scientist Wins Boeing Quantum Prize – Barbara Latacz, a research scientist at CERN, has been awarded the 2025 Boeing Quantum Creators Prize. The award recognizes her work in developing highly sensitive, quantum-limited technologies used to precisely measure the magnetic moment of the antiproton.

Source: https://home.cern/news/news/experiments/barbara-latacz-awarded-2025-boeing-quantum-creators-prize

Arts

Studio Museum in Harlem Opens New $160M Home – The renowned Studio Museum in Harlem is inaugurating its new, purpose-built home on 125th Street. The $160 million building, designed by Adjaye Associates, nearly doubles the museum’s exhibition space and will house its world-class collection of work by artists of African descent.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/nov/11/harlem-studio-museum-new-home

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Sets 2026 Opening – The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, founded by filmmaker George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, has announced it will officially open its doors in Los Angeles in September 2026.

Source: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/ (Headline: “Lucas Museum of Narrative Art sets September 2026 opening date”)

Government Shutdown Derails Major Art Exhibitions – A recent US government shutdown has forced the delay of at least two major international art exhibitions in Washington D.C., including a landmark show of Korean art at the Smithsonian and the largest-ever exhibition of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the National Gallery of Art.

Source: https://D.C.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2025/11/09/shutdown-museums-washington/

Mathematics

Mathematicians Solve Problem in “Soap Film” Geometry – A team of mathematicians has made a significant breakthrough in the study of “minimizing surfaces,” the complex shapes famously formed by soap films. The new proofs provide a way to analyze the “singularities,” or points where these intricate surfaces can break or become irregular.

Source: https://www.quantamagazine.org/new-proofs-probe-soap-film-singularities-20251112/

Professor Dawei Chen Named 2026 AMS Fellow – Boston College mathematics professor Dawei Chen has been named a 2026 Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. This prestigious honor recognizes his influential contributions to the field of algebraic geometry.

Source: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/sites/bc-news/articles/2025/fall/dawei-chen-named-american-mathematical-society-fellow.html

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• Summary: Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed an “electric bandage” that uses a tiny, flexible battery to create an electric field over a wound. In animal tests, the device sped up healing by 30% by promoting new blood vessel formation and reducing inflammation. The low-cost design is simple enough for patients to use at home.
• Source: Breakthroughs & Insights (via Columbia Engineering)
• Link: https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/about/magazine/winter25/news-morningside-heights/breakthroughs-insights

2. (Engineering/Mathematics) AI Framework Solves Century-Old Physics Problem

• Summary: A new AI framework named THOR (Tensors for High-dimensional Object Representation) has successfully solved a complex computational problem in statistical physics that has stumped scientists for decades. The AI can compute “configurational integrals” more than 400 times faster than the best previous simulations, opening the door for faster discoveries in materials science.
• Source: AI Breakthrough Finally Cracks Century-Old Physics Problem (via SciTechDaily)
• Link: https://scitechdaily.com/ai-breakthrough-finally-cracks-century-old-physics-problem/

3. (Science) Scientists Discover a New Kind of Ice: “Ice XXI”

• Summary: By squeezing water between two diamonds and hitting it with ultra-fast X-rays, researchers have discovered a new, temporary phase of ice named “ice XXI.” This metastable form, which existed for only microseconds under immense pressure, reveals that water can freeze and crystallize in more ways than previously thought, impacting our understanding of water on icy planets and moons.
• Source: Scientists just discovered a new kind of ice ‘XXI’ (via Times of India)
• Link: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/scientists-just-discovered-a-new-kind-of-ice-xxi-and-its-nothing-like-the-one-in-your-freezer/articleshow/125171949.cms

4. (Medicine/Health) New Gel Regrows Tooth Enamel, Could Transform Dentistry

• Summary: Scientists have developed a bio-inspired gel that can successfully regenerate tooth enamel by mimicking the natural growth process. The fluoride-free material forms a new mineral-rich layer that restores the enamel’s original strength and structure, potentially offering a new way to prevent and reverse dental decay.
• Source: Health & Medicine News (via ScienceDaily)
• Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/

5. (Arts/Technology) US Artists Score Victory in Landmark AI Copyright Case

• Summary: In a significant development for the creative industry, a federal judge in California has blocked an attempt by several major AI companies to dismiss large portions of a copyright lawsuit. The case, brought by a group of artists, will now proceed, focusing on the claim that these companies infringed on copyrights by training their AI models on artists’ work without permission.
• Source: Technology (via The Art Newspaper)
• Link: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/art-and-tech

6. (Science) Interstellar Comet “3I/ATLAS” Spotted Passing Through Solar System

• Summary: The third interstellar object ever identified, comet 3I/ATLAS, is currently hurtling through our solar system. China’s Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter captured rare images of the comet, which is following a hyperbolic orbit, meaning it is not bound by the Sun’s gravity and will eventually leave our system. Observations suggest it is composed of volatile materials altered by long-term exposure to interstellar radiation.
• Source: ‘Alien’ 3I/ATLAS hurtling towards solar system (via Indian Express)
• Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/alien-3i-atlas-hurtling-towards-solar-system-what-we-know-about-the-interstellar-comet-that-has-piqued-curiosity-10351154/

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First, I hadn’t gotten around to using the Freewrite in many months, so the battery was dead. It gave a “critical” notice on the screen. It wouldn’t charge or start up, until it did. Long story short, the recommendation is if it’s in this state, charge the device at least 24 hours before trying to power up again. Preferably, you’ll use the original USB-C to USB-A cable and a USB power supply that’s 5V/1A.

Second, my screen appeared frozen. It remained at the power down screensaver, which in my case is Ernest Hemingway’s mug shot. Another long story short, after trying all of the reset and factory reset recommendations, it came down to a broken plastic stand on a board underneath the power switch. I was clued into this by being able to power the unit on and off only when I tilted it upside down (the main rule of troubleshooting is to try EVERYTHING).

Anyway, for those who don’t know, you typically hold the power button down for at least 15 seconds to reboot the unit. Some also say pressing New and power works. To factory reset, you need to hold down E + X + L + Power for 15 – 30 seconds. Fortunately, I didn’t have to resort to that, although it really wouldn’t have mattered if I did.

As for the cracked post, I used some glue and then secured the assembly with electrical tape. Hopefully, that will hold. If not, I’ll have to do more extensive plastic repair. Getting at the insides is relatively easy. You remove the six rubber feet and screws. For the screws, I needed two different sizes of security screwdrivers (the type with a star-like pattern).

Finally, I was told that there are no longer any parts available for my iteration of the device (second gen instead of the current third gen), so it was either self-repair or have a non-functioning display piece. I chose the former (they did offer a 10% discount on a regular unit, but I wasn’t interested).

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When people are asked about the time in their life when they realized what career they wanted to go into, many are able to pinpoint the exact moment when they had their epiphany. While science and medicine was something I was always drawn to, I only began to consider it as a career path during my sophomore year of high school when I was exposed to courses such as anatomy and physiology and pharmacology. These classes gave me the confidence and sustained interest needed to be able to pursue medicine as my future career. However, I had this epiphany just in the knick of time as college applications were due the following year. I often find myself wondering if I would have realized my love of science sooner, and been able to take advantage of more opportunities, if I had more exposure to it as a younger child.

New Jersey, in general, has made great strides for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, but has its efforts been enough to encourage more young women to pursue STEM? In 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an act that focused on minimizing the STEM gender gap. This act aimed to increase the number of STEM outreach programs for young women and increase the number of STEM educators and faculty in New Jersey schools. The act also intended to increase the number of resources available to young women to help encourage them to pursue higher STEM education. 

Despite being enacted early on in my high school career, this bill seemed to have no impact on my school and others around it, especially considering that there was a persistent teacher shortage and an overall lack of STEM programs available to students. Though this act, and others like it, seem as though they put New Jersey on the right track for increasing female participation in STEM, the reality is that progress just isn’t being made. 

Women still only represent 27% of STEM workers nationally, further indicating that this legislation is not having its intended effect. This already meager percentage is only expected to decrease in upcoming years as the interest in STEM of Generation Z girls, those born between 1997 and 2011, plummets. 

According to an article published in CNN, 85% of young men said that they were interested in at least one sector of STEM, while only 63% of young women said the same. When questioned about why they weren’t interested in the field, a majority of young women stated that they believed they wouldn’t be good at STEM, representing a lack of associated confidence within younger generations. Despite being a national issue, this overall lack of confidence applies to young New Jersey women who might want to pursue a career in STEM as well. 

In June of 2023, a panel discussion was held between several prominent female New Jersey STEM leaders. One of the panelists, Dr. Vojislava Pophristic, Dean of Rowan University’s College of Science and Mathematics, explained that she believes that if more opportunities are provided for young girls K-12, there would be an increase in women pursuing STEM as a career later on in life. Specifically, Dean Pophristic recommends exposing young individuals to how meaningful and impactful STEM can be through mentorship programs.. If more of these programs were widely available, it is likely that young women would become inspired and see that women can excel in STEM. 

Dean Pophristic additionally mentioned how certain sectors of STEM have different sex breakdowns. Sectors such as math and computer science generally see more male participation while biology often sees more female participation, a trend I observed in my own high school. For instance, out of roughly 20 students in my AP Biology class, only 3 were male. However, in one of the AP Computer Science classes offered, only about 2 or 3 students were female. 

As Dean Pophristic further pointed out in the discussion, STEM, regardless of the sector, has been historically dominated by white men, a trend that obviously needs to be changed. However, as white men have been the leaders of STEM for so long, it begs the question of where does this bias, that has been keeping others from being equally represented in STEM, originate? 

A potential origin for STEM gender bias may lie within some of the youngest members of the population, children in kindergarten to third grade. A study that looked into the beliefs held by these children had some alarming findings. Primarily, children of both sexes believed men to be more competent than women in STEM, with 62% of boys stating that STEM was their favorite subject and only 37% of girls stating the same. Kim Eslesser, a gender bias expert who discusses the study in a recent Forbes article, proposes a solution that has the potential to work at the local, New Jersey level. She suggests that providing more role models, women with careers in STEM, to young girls could boost confidence and change biased perceptions. Additionally, she indicates that encouraging young girls to pretend to be scientists during play time could also help promote STEM confidence in younger populations, a solution that New Jersey schools could easily implement in their classrooms to stop gender bias at its potential root. 

Furthermore, though all women are underrepresented in STEM, women of color are even more underrepresented than white women. An article written by Marisa Peñaloza, a senior producer at NPR, about the National STEM Festival in Washington D.C., helps to highlight how young non-white women can feel even more dissuaded from pursuing STEM than young white women. One of the individuals that Peñaloza interviewed, the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at MIT stated that “women of color face the most challenges and harassment, both explicit and implicit”. 

One of the youth presenters at the festival, Treyonna Sullivan, described her own personal experiences with her place in STEM. She stated that she felt discouraged after seeing the background of her competitors, but then described how having Black mentors and seeing other Black youth there inspired her, helping to improve her confidence in her abilities. Sullivan’s story provides further support for the benefits of increasing the number of mentors available for young women in STEM and shows that to have the most impact on young women, mentors of diverse backgrounds are needed. 

The bottom line is that while New Jersey has taken measures to encourage gender equality in STEM for women of all backgrounds, advancements just aren’t being made. As STEM is a field that has always been primarily male dominated, it is devastating to see that more women still have yet to to take their rightful place at the forefront of scientific innovation and success. Since a lot of the current programs and bills introduced in New Jersey, that target girls in middle and high school, have been largely ineffective, it is time New Jersey turns its attention to even younger girls. If New Jersey  is able to increase mentorship opportunities and find ways to successfully eliminate bias within younger populations, inspire younger girls, and sustain their inspiration throughout their high school years, STEM participation, interest, and confidence will skyrocket, creating an environment where all girls can flourish and realize their interest in STEM early on in life. 

Olivia Loguidice is a biological sciences major at Rowan University who plans to pursue a career in medicine. She has a passion for female representation in STEM. 

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Fuel cells are considered one of the most clean and efficient ways to produce electricity through their use of hydrogen. They work by using an electrochemical process to cause a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, which produces electricity, and only a small amount of harmless “waste” water and heat.

You can read more about the research on the Chalmers website.

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