How did your Penn State graduate studies prepare you for your career?

I was one of the pioneers for the Made By Design Lab directed by Dr. Nicholas Meisel where the research conducted sought to understand how additive manufacturing revolutionized engineering design. My research centered on the concept of material complexity within the field of design for multi-material additive manufacturing. I particularly sought to understand whether the mechanical behavior of digital composite materials can be predicted considering custom voxel-based microstructural designs and macroscopic interfacial analyses.

Working in a research lab allowed me to gain invaluable hands-on skills and experience ranging from computational modeling and analysis to setting up and running experimental procedures. I was also able to hone my technical writing skills through the documentation of my scientific findings as research papers prepared for a series of conference proceedings and journal publications. In addition, my problem-solving and communication skills also improved.

Besides performing research duties, I was a passionate leader and mentor. I had the opportunity of mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented minority groups through my involvement with the Multicultural Engineering Graduate Association (MEGA) in the Center of Engineering Outreach and Inclusion. I worked to support both current and prospective domestic underrepresented graduate students and in Fall 2020, I pioneered the “Incoming Graduate Student Workshop” that aimed at providing new and incoming students with invaluable resources and tools for thriving as a graduate researcher.

All the knowledge, skills, and experience obtained while in graduate school immensely contributed to the preparation of my professional career not only in the technical aspects but also in leadership and management.

In 2-3 sentences, describe what you do in your profession.

In my role, I serve as the Aeromechanics Structural Analysis Engineer for the JPL/Ames Research Center Mars Science Helicopter (MSH) Project under the Mars Exploration Program (MEP), providing analysis and reporting of Ames structures engineering activities. I also provide program leadership and management for MEP, serving as the Aeromechanics Office’s Deputy Project Manager. Additionally, I perform analytical modeling to execute MSH Forward Flight pretest predictions and support MSH Forward Flight Wind Tunnel Test in the Planetary Aeolian Wind Tunnel.

What’s the one thing you wish you knew as a graduate student that you know now?

The importance of setting and maintaining boundaries as well as prioritizing health including mental health.

What ways do you stay engaged with Penn State today, and what inspires you to stay involved?

During my tenure as a graduate student, I was quite involved in the Multicultural Engineering Graduate Association in the Center of Engineering Outreach and Inclusion. In my 4th year, I pioneered the Graduate Student Workshop, with the goal of reaching out to incoming graduate students in the College of Engineering and providing resources and tools that they would find beneficial and useful as they embark on their graduate school journey.

Since graduating in May 2022, I have stayed involved with MEGA. I am currently working with a colleague and former PSU Alum to pioneer an Alumni Network. As a professional, I am now inspired to offer guidance to current underrepresented minority students in terms of career mentoring and professional development. I am looking forward to meeting, working, and mentoring more students.

What career accomplishment are you most proud of?

The successful completion of my doctoral studies

What part of your Penn State graduate degree experience had the biggest impact on you?

There are in fact two experiences that had the biggest impact on me during graduate school.

First, I was one of the pioneering graduate students of the Made By Design Lab under Dr. Nicholas Meisel. My research skills, project development and management, and scientific communication skills are attributed to working with Dr. Meisel. Second, I became involved with the Multicultural Engineering Graduate Association (MEGA) in CEOI as early as my second semester of graduate school, which greatly enhanced my leadership skills. I worked not only the undergraduate and graduate students but also with various professors, Assistant Deans, and Deans across the College of Engineering. I am grateful for the lessons about leadership and professional development that I learned working in my lab as well as a being member of leader in the Penn State community.

When you were a graduate student, did you envision yourself having this profession? If not, tell us about the journey.

I did not envision myself working at NASA. It was always a dream until one door was open.

During my junior year of undergrad (Summer 2014), I participated in a research internship at NASA Ames Research Center. It was such a unique learning experience, and it afforded me several opportunities to observe and work with scientists, engineers, and technicians. Henceforth, I kept it in the back of my mind that I would like to return and work for the Agency particularly this Center, but at the time, I didn’t know how that was going to happen. I also wasn’t sure of the likelihood that I’d be selected for another internship.

I soon started my masters program in mechanical engineering in Fall 2015 at Penn State, and I was adamant to inform my advisor that I was interested in hands-on technical work. The research work was quite intriguing, so I decided to continue and pursue my doctoral degree in 2018. At that point, the advice I received from several colleagues and professionals made me feel like my career path was going to take a complete turn away from experimental and analytical research work and that I’d get more opportunities in academic professorial roles. I kept my initial preference in mind, and I made sure that the research work that I was involved in exposed me to opportunities to learn a variety of hands-on, technical, and professional leadership skills. Essentially, I worked on becoming a well-rounded engineer and research. I am grateful to my advisor for his guidance.

For the time I was in graduate school, I didn’t get a chance to participate in an internship program which I thought derailed me from my desired career path of gaining practical experience in industry. However, it allowed me to focus wholeheartedly on my research, compile research papers for publication in conference proceedings and journals, as well as improve my technical, leadership, and professional skills.

Fast forward to the beginning of 2021, I responded to a call put forward to apply for Pathways Internship at NASA. I doubted that I’d be selected since there are only a handful of spots in each Center. In April 2021, I received an email from my former boss, the Branch Chief at NASA ARC who notified me of my acceptance into the Pathways Internship Program. He mentioned to me that he had come across my resume. The Pathways Internship program is tailored to offer current and recent graduate students rewarding Federal career opportunities that are a direct pipeline for full-time employment. I joined the Agency in Summer 2021 as a graduate student and once I graduated the following Spring, I was converted to full-time civil service. This has been a rewarding journey thus far and I have learned a lot about remaining resilient and open minded. I guess the bottom line is that for current students, trust your instincts and continuously believe in yourself.

What professional development tip would you recommend to current students?

Identify what you are passionate about early on and pursue that wholeheartedly. Diversify your experiences and work on improving your skill set. Actively seek out opportunities that’ll allow you to be challenged. Find your unique path and set (SMART) achievable goals that you can work towards. Without a doubt, you’ll achieve whatever goals you’ve set but as Carlton Fisk says, “It’s not what you achieve, it’s what you overcome. That’s what defines your career”.