Tiffany Panko

Research Assistant Professor

NTID Center for Culture and Language

Tiffany is a Research Assistant Professor in the Center on Culture and Language, Deaf Health Lab.

What woman inspires you, or who is your favorite heroine and why?
While Margaret Sanger has some flaws, she was ahead of her time and spoke up for women’s reproductive rights even if she had to escape to Europe or spend some time in jail. She also spearheaded the effort that resulted in the birth control pill and opened the first birth control clinic in the U.S. that the origins of Planned Parenthood can be traced back to.

What assumptions about women would you like to see change?
That women are emotional and can’t be leaders because of their emotions. Emotions are not male or female; they’re human! No matter what gender you are, recognizing your emotions makes you a stronger leader.

What barriers have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field?
Imposter syndrome is real. It can be hard, as a woman, to speak up and assert what you want and find mentors who will listen and help you achieve your goals.

What in your life has brought you the greatest satisfaction or fulfillment?
Being recognized and chosen as one of 125 AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadors for my dedication to STEM and mentoring younger people to see their potential! Through this opportunity, in addition to connecting with other amazing Ambassadors, I won a grant to develop a women’s health book for deaf middle school girls, am displayed in the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago, and have a 3D-printed statue that was displayed in the Dallas Love Field Airport while waiting for its launch with all of the statues post-COVID.

What can our community do to better support women?
Listen when they’re speaking, and listen to understand not react.

What advice would you give young women?
Follow your dreams, even if they scare you or you decide to change paths. Society will always tell you what you can and can’t do – that doesn’t matter. What matters at the end of each day is if you are happy with the path you are on.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Write fluently in Latin! Such a beautiful language.

What is a fun fact about yourself?
I’m known for my baking! Don’t like coconut?
You’ll like my double chocolate coconut macaroons. Skeptical about lavender in baked goods?
Don’t be – you’ll love my lemon lavender shortbread cookies. Hate mayonnaise?
I’ll ask you if you liked my chocolate cake before telling you what made it moist!