Katharina Stapelmann

Katharina Stapelmann

Associate Professor, North Carolina State University
NC

Engineers!

Sandra Hernandez
Bianca Stamps
Emily Lurier
Zahra Khan
Sameena Shah
Erin Bowles
Nykaila Taylor
Ayanna Howard
Yeshani Wijesekara
Emily Boltcreed
Johanna Catchings
Peggy Layne
Education
Food & Agriculture
Medicine
Close Up
  • What I Do

    I am an associate professor in nuclear engineering at North Carolina State University. My job has many facets; I am teaching, doing research, advising undergraduate and graduate students. Part of my job is to travel around the world to attend conferences and to meet other researchers to discuss the newest ideas in the field. 

  • Why Engineering?

    Originally, I wanted to study astrophysics. Closer to college I was afraid I would not get a good job with this major so I started looking into alternatives. I liked math, physics, and chemistry and engineering is a beautiful combination of them with so many different ways to apply the knowledge and great job opportunities. 

  • School Days

    I went to school in Germany, Ruhr University Bochum. I studied electrical engineering and specialized in plasma engineering during my master and PhD time. In the US, plasma engineering can often be found in nuclear and mechanical engineering departments. 

  • Want to be an Engineer?

    Just do it! Don't listen to people who say you cannot succeed. Engineering is great because you'll have so many possibilities - starting from all the different majors to the different and diverse jobs you can have after graduation. 

Biography
I came to the US in 2017 to work as an assistant professor at NC State. Before that I was briefly assistant professor at Ruhr University Bochum, the school I also graduated from. I spent most of my life in that area in Germany, except when I went to Italy for an internship for half a year. The internship was at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in Ispra, next to the Lago Maggiore and the Alps. There are definitely worse places to do an internship!
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Volunteer Opportunities
  • I am willing to be contacted by educators for possible speaking engagements in schools or in after school programs or summer camps.
  • I am willing to serve as science fair judge or other temporary volunteer at a local school.
  • I am willing to host a field trip to my place of employment.
  • I am willing to be interviewed by interested students via email.