Joy received her undergraduate degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University. She went on to receive her masters and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2015 from MIT where her research focused on theoretical semiconductor process modeling, inventing environmentally-benign fabrication processes and electrochemical energy systems. While in school, she was deeply involved in engineering education and outreach— teaching electronics at MIT’s SEED Academy and volunteering to run workshops and science fairs with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Following graduate school, Joy transitioned from researching physical models to building commercial ones in software – leading mobile development at a MIT-founded music technology startup, AudioCommon, as a partner. After leading development of three mobile products at AudioCommon, she transitioned to the west coast to Apple.

While at Apple, Joy has held three uniquely different roles. The first was in a hybrid role as a senior technical program manager for Apple’s former autonomous vehicle program’s experience prototyping team. She helped manage large scale experience prototype ideation and engineering that included fully immersive hardware and software prototypes for autonomous vehicle experiences.

Once the team transitioned, she returned to her process research roots to lead a team of process engineers and technicians doing research in emerging display technology development as a Senior Hardware Engineering Manager and Technology Center Lead for Apple’s microLED panel technology efforts for flexible displays. This work over 5+ years yielded not only patents for the unique backplane design but also new co-developed materials that now are being used across our small size displays to improve optical performance and enable new form factor designs. Currently, she is working in the iPhone TFT Process team and continues to engage in panel technology development and production for next generation small size displays.

Outside of work, Joy has served previously on the NC State University College of Engineering Young Alumni board and the boards of STEM-related non-profits focused on providing technical, research experiences for minorities and women, including the GEM Fellowship (Alumni Board), i-Trek and INTech Camp for Girls. She believes generosity is our privilege, and she is extremely grateful to serve this board and the Lines Ballet community.

Photography: Joy Johnson | Courtesy of Joy Johnson