Why did you become an engineer? Why did you choose to go into academia? What do you like best (in reference to the above question)?

I became an engineer because I wanted a technical degree that would allow for job security in a wide-range of sectors and because I did well in my math and sciences classes. I decided to stay in undergraduate engineering because I found the problem solving to be very interesting. I was also involved in many engineering student organizations including the Formula SAE Team and Pi Tau Sigma, and these organizations as well as the coursework allowed me to see applications of engineering and work on motivating projects where you could see results and a finished project. It wasn’t until the end of my junior year that I became interested in graduate work and became fascinated with research. I had the opportunity to work in the laboratory via a NSF REU position. I started by assisting the graduate students and then progressed to having projects of my own. I loved the experimental work, where you are pushing the boundaries of the knowledge base of science and engineering; you often have to think “outside of the box,” and the results aren’t always what you expected.

I liked working with my advisor and in her laboratory so much that I decided to go to graduate school, starting with a BS/MS program, and then progressing onto a Ph.D.

I decided to go into academics because I wanted the challenge as well as the freedom to decide my own research projects. I also felt that teaching and contributing towards undergraduate education was extremely important, and that I wanted to interact with future engineers. Academics is great because you are always working on something completely different between research, teaching, and service not just from day-to-day, but sometimes hour-to-hour! It also gives me the opportunity to interact with some wonderful colleagues both here at Drexel and at other universities.

Explain your area of research (in layman’s terms).

I work in several areas of research, including combustion synthesis, materials analysis, chemical kinetics and modeling, and optical diagnostic systems. Combustion synthesis is a process that can be used to produce useful powders (usually on the nano-scale) by putting different chemicals into a flame environment which acts as a high-temperature chemical reactor. You can then analyze the product powder using various materials analysis techniques including electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. I also use optical diagnostic systems to determine what is happening in a plasma or combustion environment or to the particles as they form in a flame. Different techniques include laser based adsorption spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy, laser induced fluorescence, and, scattering measurements. These provide improved data and insight for the chemical processes and modeling work.

Who was your favorite teacher/professor and why? Who is your biggest inspiration?

My favorite professor was my advisor, Prof. Margaret Wooldridge, at the University of Michigan. I had her for several classes, and as both an undergraduate and graduate research advisor. She got me involved in research, helped me decide to go to graduate school, and acted as a wonderful mentor. She always has interesting research directions and was always there for my many questions!

What do you like to do to relax? What are your hobbies?

I have a lot of outside hobbies! I race sailboats, train for and race triathlons, and generally enjoy any water and outdoors activity including kayaking, going to the beach, windsurfing, hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing. I also like to read (last book was a Tom Clancy novel), travel, knit, cook, and entertain my siamese kitty-cat.

Favorite book?

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Favorite song?

I almost every kind of music on the ipod: classical, rock, rap, alternative, modern jazz, cuban, electronica and trip-hop are a few! I am in a folk and acoustic rock phase right now with a lot of Sheryl Crow. Two of my current favorite songs are Wildflower (Crow) and Wicked Game (Chris Isaak).

Favorite movie?

Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail, and maybe something with Will Ferrell or Ben Stiller in it like Anchorman or Zoolander.

Any advice for new students?

Get involved with the university and its community! College should be one of the best times of your life (I’m still here, right?) Join engineering societies and other organizations and be active. Not only are they great for your resume, but they build friendships and contacts, and can show all the diverse areas where engineers are involved. Also, your professors can give you advice and introduce you to different and new opportunities, so get to know them!