Laura Pashley

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what you do now? 

My bachelor's is in Chemical Engineering with minors in computer science and managerial economics. I interned at an air quality district during college and after graduation, I got hired by an environmental consulting company. And I'm still there 15+ years later. I have mostly worked with air quality and compliance and my career niche turned into working with environmental management systems and data that is used for compliance reporting.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what you do now?

I am Masters student in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University studying propulsion. I am currently at Zucrow Labs researching Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines.

How did you become interested in STEM?

My mom got me interested in the STEM field at a young age through coding and art camps!

What is one piece of advice you wish you had received when you were just starting out?

Follow your gut feeling and find people in your life that encourage you to keep going and try new things.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what you do now? 

I am an Optical Engineer working in the aerospace industry.

How did you become interested in STEM?

Funny enough, through art. My mom is an artist (and very talented author) who encouraged me to think creatively. I think that tied in really well to the kind of problem-solving required in engineering. When I got to high school, I joined the FIRST Robotics Club and got to speak with and shadow real engineers.