Join us in this captivating podcast episode as we commence the Women in STEM series with the incredible Dr. Radia Perlman, widely regarded as the "Mother of the Internet": a title that she doesn’t fully agree with as an esteemed but humble trailblazer in the field of computer networking. With her profound contributions to the development of networking protocols, including the invention of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in addition to having over 100 patents to her name, she has reshaped the digital landscape. While she is most recognized for her creative novels, approach to research papers, and the spanning-tree protocol, she shares how there is so much more to her story.

In this exclusive interview, Dr. Perlman takes us on a journey through her illustrious career, spanning decades of innovation and defying the conventional number-oriented “taking everything apart” stereotypes of an engineer. She shares how her unique approach to engineering was what made her so valuable. “If you’re different, you’re incredibly valuable”. She recounts her early inspirations as a young student, the roots of her interest in this field, how she learned to program, and the opportunities and mentors who allowed her to be where she is today including Professor Mischa Schwartz (Columbia University) and even a high-school teacher who went out of her way to allow her students to learn computer programming at a local college. With this, Dr Perlman shared the importance of mentorship as an experience that involves mutualistic learning for both parties involved. 

We delve into the intricacies of her transformative work, exploring the profound impact of the Spanning Tree Protocol on network stability and resilience. Dr. Perlman shares her insights on the evolution of networking technologies and the future of interconnectivity, shedding light on emerging trends such as GPT as well as exploring her first paper about self-stabilizing networks. Additionally, she shared her latest project: co-authoring yet another landscape-transforming book in collaboration with her son, a leader in the field of quantum computing. 

Throughout the episode, we unravel the creative brilliance behind Dr. Perlman's inventions, discussing her unique approach to academia as someone who utilized humor and poetic devices in her work including a famous poem about algorithms in her famous spanning-tree protocol research  paper. From cultivating curiosity and embracing challenges to nurturing creativity and fostering collaboration, her advice resonates with listeners of all backgrounds.

Join us for this enlightening episode as we celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of Dr. Radia Perlman. Through her research, her books, and her tireless advocacy, she has left an indelible mark on the world of computer networking while inspiring generations of innovators to pursue their passions fearlessly. Prepare to be inspired and motivated by the extraordinary insights of a leader in STEM.

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