What motivated you to enter the space industry?

The aerospace industry has some of the most unique material systems due to complex combined mechanical, thermal, and vacuum environments. After Virginia Tech, I entered the aerospace industry passionate about not only understanding the best materials for specific applications, but also the required testing for flight acceptance.

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Tell us about your leadership in the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE): How did it shape your professional or leadership journey?

Rising in leadership to External Vice President, I was responsible for corporate outreach, spearheading professional development workshops, and organizing the annual spring career fair. This experience highlighted the importance of skill-building, both in technical and interpersonal skills, networking, and time management.

 

You’re working on chocolate for your PhD but you’ve worked in the aerospace industry. Can you explain how this came about and how chocolate will shape your space journey?

I’m working towards a PhD in mechanical engineering at CO School of Mines (CSM), specifically to research the processing- structure- properties- performance relationships associated with additive manufacturing (AM) of highly filled composites. I’ve enjoyed my graduate research: evaluating the influence of thermal processing and integration of fillers within AM of chocolate. The fundamental material processing concept of tempering to achieve desired properties and even distribution of fillers in a matrix system are transferable to other industries, such as aerospace.

 

What has been the most meaningful experience you’ve had in this industry?

As a Certified Test Conductor and materials engineer, I’ve led material test campaigns for the Orion program on the Avcoat heatshield material. Knowing my work contributes to bringing humanity, especially the first woman and person of color, to the moon and safely back to Earth, I have a deep sense of pride in the mission and a strong sense of responsibility to exercise proper test discipline and communicate quality data to stakeholders.