Aerospace engineering student encourages women in her field

My primary research focus is on fluids and propulsion, specifically the field of pressure gain combustion, a fundamentally unsteady process whereby gas expansion by heat release is constrained, causing a rise in stagnation pressure and allowing work extraction by expansion to the initial pressure. One implementation approach of pressure gain combustion is the rotating detonation engine (RDE), a device that exploits continuous detonative combustion. 

The RDE configuration I am testing is based on continuous flow through a chamber in which combustion takes place through a transversely rotating detonation. Compared to existing combustor architecture, RDE technology offers a more compact design, increased fuel and thermal efficiency, and overall higher total pressure among other advantages, making this a promising future technology. 

This mentored teaching experience was a special opportunity to work alongside Department of Engineering Education faculty to learn about and establish good teaching practices, develop and deliver course content, and learn how to manage people (Peer TAs). I had the opportunity to assist with teaching two courses, Foundations of Engineering Design Thinking I and Foundations of Engineering Design Thinking II. Both of these courses provided insight into the teaching strategies of a college professor, a perspective which was new to me as a graduate student. Learning how to convey engineering concepts in an easy to understand method and observing my students grasping the course content is a rewarding experience and has not only strengthened my instruction skills, but also led me to discover my passion for teaching. 

When I am not busy in the lab, I like to spend my time running outdoors or at the gym. I participated in track and field competitively for eight years, from high school to the D1 level in college and I consider this to be one of my favorite hobbies. I also enjoy exploring Cincinnati’s café scene; studying at one of the window seats at Coffee Emporium and taking a break at Washington Park in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is my ideal weekend morning. 

Post graduate school, I hope to lead the way in aerospace research, whether that be in academia or industry, and serve as a voice to promote female engagement in STEM. I find my research at the Gas Dynamics and Propulsion Lab satisfying, particularly taking part in the full engineering design process. I can definitely see myself in a similar type of work environment in the future, but at the same time, I still want to be involved with teaching and female STEM outreach as these are both important aspects in my career.

Featured image at top: Silhouette of a person looking into the night sky. Photo/Greg Rakozy/Unsplash.