What I Do I am conducting pro-bono work for non-profit organizations. These organizations focus on fostering education, accessing college-preparatory experiences, fostering careers in STEM, promoting STEM participation by girls and underrepresented populations. My expertise is in chemical engineering, materials and computational methodologies.
Why Engineering? I have always loved Science. My first high school classes in chemistry, mathematics and physics were my favorite subjects. I love to teach. I am joyful when people learn new concepts. I moved to engineering when I believed that I could thrive in an industry environment and realized that engineering and science together are a powerful combination to innovate and solve the world's problems.
School Days I went to an all-girl (academically rigorous) school for elementary, middle school and high school in Venezuela. Then, I decided to have two degrees, one in Chemistry and one in Applied Mathematics. I saw Mathematics as a way to be a much better Chemistry researcher. The in graduate school, I did my Chemical Engineering PhD in polymer science and engineering.
My Day At Work My Day at 3M varied throughout the years. My early positions were about inventing and finding new materials for traffic safety, automotive films and buildings solar control films. I then moved into leadership positions when I guided a team of experts in modeling and simulation of materials: we studied microneedles, abrasive fasteners, diaper closures, respirators and masks. We worked side by side with product and process engineers to commercialize these new solutions.
Best Part The best part is that I got to apply what I learned at school, the science methodology and the basic engineering and polymer concepts to create new products. The company invested in my ideas. They trusted my recommendations. Working with customers that were delighted with the solutions and could not wait for them to be commercialized was truly the best. One is always learning, applying the learnings to solve ever-changing and challenging problems.
Proud Moments Seeing my inventions in pavement markings, microneedle patches, abrasives and diapers Fasteners, window films, reparatory protection and connected safety in the market and used by many customers. Getting recognitions of prestigious award like the AIChE Industry Leadership Award, the AIChE Management Award, the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences and the induction to the National Academy of Engineering.
Challenges Numerous challenges which made me grow as a person and as a professional. The challenge to understand failure of a traffic marker and redesign it so that it delivered true road presence and retro reflectivity. The challenge to create a new product platform of window films for automotive and commercial markets with the incorporation of two new technologies and processes. The challenge to pivot a team of direct reports to embrace and contribute to the company's business transformation and digitization efforts.
My Family I am married to a wonderful chemical engineer that I met during graduate school. We have three adult children (accomplished and caring). We have a mini-Australian Shepherd that I enjoy taking for walks. I spend time with my father (90) and my mother (85) and with the many siblings, cousins and their families. I also have great friends that I made at work that are our family in Minnesota.
Dreams and Goals Short Term goals include serving the best my Board commitments to education, STEM, women in STEM organizations, and travel the world. My long-term goals involve teaching at colleges and universities, sharing my experiences with students, mentoring and advocating for emerging STEM leaders and communicating to the public the impact of STEM driven solutions to the world we all live in.
Inspiration I have to start with my mother and my father who inculcated in me the confidence to try and go for things. My elementary, middle school and high school teachers that shared their love of science. My professors during my undergraduate and graduate degrees. My advisor, Prof Muthukumar Mentors that have been advocate for my advancement and have included me in opportunities to contribute and deliver enormous impact.
Want to be an Engineer? Go for it! You will have such a rewarding career. You will get to solve really important and interesting problems. You will get to see your results in action, being used by others. You will work and get challenged by amazingly intelligent people and by people that care about creating a better world. And... you will never be bored.
Hobbies I love to read. I love to learn hence I am taking classes and a new degree at the university. I love to travel. I love hiking in the forest.