The official biography below was current at the time of the award. Awardees may choose to provide their latest biographical information on their profile page.

Laura Bottomley has been a mentor and supporter of students from underrepresented groups since 1991 beginning at Duke University and continuing in 1997 at North Carolina State University. Dr. Bottomley holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and is Director of K-12 Engineering Outreach Programs and campus Women in Engineering Program. Dr. Bottomley has created a mentoring pipeline that can serve as a national model for K-12 outreach and support of underrepresented students at all levels. Dr. Bottomley initiated science curriculum reform for all elementary schools in Wake County, North Carolina. She conceived of and leads the statewide “Engineering on the Road Program”. Through a tiered-mentoring process, and with the help of undergraduate engineering students, she provides hands-on engineering activities to 25,000 students annually.