Lisalda honored by the Association of Women Faculty

Lindsey Lisalda, a graduate student working with Henric Krawczynski in the Department of Physics in Arts & Sciences, won an Association of Women Faculty 2021 Student Award. The Association of Women Faculty (AWF) seeks to advance the professional and social interests of women faculty and support diversity across Washington University. Their student awards are given annually to outstanding women students from across the Danforth Campus who show strong leadership potential and whose research, teaching or service benefits women and gender minorities.

Lisalda uses x-ray polarimetry to study the properties of neutron stars and black holes. Her research work at Washington University is both theoretical and experimental; she is directly involved in large international x-ray polarimetry missions, such as the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer and XL-Calibur.

Lisalda was nominated for recognition by Saori Pastore, assistant professor of physics, who focused on Lisalda’s exceptional potential for a positive impact on society and demonstrated service that benefits women and gender minorities. Pastore described the many ways that Lisalda acts as a driving force in the department of physics’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, which she has supported as a member since 2018. Examples include organizing formal and informal activities for women in the department, participating in a women’s mentoring program, initiating the ‘This is Physics’ poster campaign, and helping to write a proposal for funding that included workshops on graduate school preparation, among many other activities.

“Lindsey is determined and strong,” Pastore said. “She takes on responsibilities and works tirelessly to build a diverse and inclusive environment. Lindsey is passionate about outreach and education, she works very well in a group and her collaborators trust her fully.”

Lisalda received the award at the Association of Women Faculty’s Virtual Spring Reception.

Learn more about Lisalda in this article from Washington University’s graduate school newsletter, “A rising star in physics.”