What I Do I am an Assistant Professor at the Univ. at Buffalo (SUNY) and I use computational tools, based on engineering principles and equations, to model interactions of molecules in the cell. Understanding how the cell machinery operates gives us a better idea how to address imbalances due to disease or infection.
Why Engineering? Because of my love for Math and Physics and the desire to integrate these with other concepts and problem solving skills to provide insights that could help my local and international community. I was always curious as to how things work and how I could learn more about them, engineering provided the perfect framework to master skills to approach problems systematically.
School Days I obtained my B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD), and worked at the National Air and Space Museum through out most of my student years.
My Day At Work It varies by season, meaning: school semesters, summers, and writing-season (papers or grants) :) On a usual week, I spend time to stay current on articles / seminars in my research field. I prepare teaching materials for a course or my research lab; followup on the current progress of projects in my lab; troubleshoot computational experiments. Build, analyze, and plot results from large simulation data sets to communicate well our findings. Committee meetings at the university or professional societies. Writing/editing scientific manuscripts and grant proposals; serve as reviewer for manuscripts and proposals submitted by my peers. My lab also participates in outreach efforts with other programs at the university, we prepare activities for high school students, or Q&A sessions with undergraduates, etc. Last but definitely not least, cup of coffee in hand :D
Best Part To interact with people from different academic and training backgrounds to solve a problem from different perspectives. To mentor students in my field of work. To use mathematical/theoretical approaches to describe a complex biological process, like interactions of biomolecules with lipids in cells.
Proud Moments Professionally, completing my training and starting my own lab as an academic researcher, and every time I get someone else excited about the research we do in my lab (student or peer). Personally, developing a strong and trusting relationship with my kids, to learn from them as individuals, and very thankful for the friends and family who surround us with support, kindness, and laughter when least expected (and most needed)
Challenges Time management; learning to say "no" to protect my personal time (alone & with my kids) while carrying on my job.
My Family I am a proud mom of two amazing young children - who are growing up way too quickly! I hope to continue inspiring their curiosity and savoring every moment life throws at us. I learn from their resilience and kindness every day.
Dreams and Goals Continue to growing as a scientist and educator, specially to the students who take my courses or join my research group. To build a solid research program using molecular dynamics simulations to understand different biological processes. To communicate our work effectively to the broader scientific community as well as the general public, so more people are aware of specific ways scientists and engineers contribute to our society.
Inspiration My grandparents are retired teachers (Chemistry and Spanish composition/writing); they are my ultimate inspiration, but have been blessed by meeting wonderful teachers and mentors that shaped by own teaching/mentoring philosophy.
Want to be an Engineer? Practice asking questions, until you become proficient asking the right questions to develop a plan to solve a problem/an unknown. Talk to your teachers and mentors about summer/weekend programs that give you the opportunity to see or experience different engineering fields up close.
Hobbies I love outdoor activities, cooking, and doing crafts. My go-to activities to release stress are sewing, cross-stitch, and/or knitting projects. I love the smell of a new book and a warm cup of coffee!