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<\/p>\nThis profile series introduces materials scientists from around the world who happen to be females. Here we speak with Ingrid M. Padilla Espinosa, postdoctoral researcher, University of California, Merced.<\/p>\n
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What part of your job do you like most?<\/strong><\/p>\n I love doing research because it challenges me. I get to learn new things all the time, and also every day feels different. Plus, I often get to experience the excitement of \u201cEureka moments.\u201d In my current position I work with graduate students, and it is very satisfying to see them achieving their goals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What is your engineering background?<\/strong><\/p>\n I have a bachelor\u2019s degree in mechanical engineering, and a master\u2019s and doctorate in nanoengineering.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What attracted you to engineering?<\/strong><\/p>\n Love for mathematics and curiosity, but my greatest motivation was the possibility to create and modify devices that could benefit hundreds of people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Did you ever consider doing something else with your life besides engineering?<\/strong><\/p>\n I always wanted to be an engineer, but I considered getting into a theater program as a second career.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What are you working on now?<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m doing research on the plastic deformation of nanoparticles and their size, shape, and orientation dependency, using computational modeling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n