Women In Engineering Profile: Janet Gbur
This profile series introduces leading materials scientists from around the world who happen to be females. Here we speak with Janet Gbur,research associate at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, investigator at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Cleveland, and adjunct faculty at Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio.
What does your typical workday look like?
I wear a few different hats, so I do not have a typical workday. On the research side, I spend three days a week in Cleveland working with various principal investigators on developing test methods and testing components or subcomponents of microscale medical devices. Some days focus on researching standards, literature review, or learning about the application of a device. Other days are spent in the lab running fatigue tests or mentoring students with interest in the fatigue and fracture of Nitinol wires or other biomedical alloys. Two days a week are spent at YSU. I teach two sections of engineering concepts for first-year students and one section of engineering materials.
What part of your job do you like most?
I enjoy the challenge of learning new things and having a connection to the end goal of the research. This is why I love working in an area that allows me to be a part of the development, testing, and final implementation of medical technology. To listen to a subject talk about how the implant makes a positive impact in daily life makes it all worth it.
What is your greatest professional achievement?
While I am thankful to have been honored with a few awards—and the completion of my Ph.D. was certainly life-defining—I think my greatest professional achievement has been the ability to help the students I work with find their own path, determine how to maximize their own potential, and watch them succeed.
Best career advice, given or received:
Focus on finding an opportunity that you are passionate about and that you can create a career around as opposed to looking for a job.
What are you working on now?
I am contributing to a team at CWRU that is developing a fully implantable, neural prosthesis system to help restore the sense of touch to amputees. My role includes designing tests to mimic in vivo conditions and to evaluate the mechanical reliability of the system and its components.
Finish this sentence: Women in materials engineering are…
…dynamic, persevering, and passionate about their work.
Favorite motto or quote?
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney
Last book read?
The Hidden Reality by Brian Greene.
Do you know someone who should be featured in an upcoming Women in Engineering profile? Contact Vicki Burt at [email protected].
