What motivated you to want to become an engineer?

I’ve always been the most interested in math and science and loved solving problems, especially when there wasn’t an obvious answer. Lots of my family are engineers, so growing up I saw how they applied their knowledge to solve difficult problems. I wanted to do the same.

What project that you worked on are you the proudest of and why?

As a still relatively young engineer, I’d have to say my first project which was for a new fermentation facility for Merck is one that I am the proudest. The first project as a kid fresh out of school was exciting but daunting. IPS has a great network of engineers that helped get me integrate into the team and answered all my questions no matter how obvious along the way.

How has your work in engineering changed due to COVID-19 restrictions?

There hasn’t been too much of a change because of the technology available to us. Luckily, I still have the ability to work on drawings and connect with my colleagues and clients through Teams. Unfortunately, we can’t visit client sites so it takes a little more coordination when trying to figure out where things are going to go in an existing building.

What do you love most about your job?

As my late Professor Grassi would say, “Doing a world of good.” With IPS, I get to play a small part in bringing lifesaving medicines to the market and I feel like I’m doing some good for the world.

Do you have advice for anyone that is considering a career in engineering?

Don’t give up and never stop learning. When I told people I was going to college for engineering, a common response was always, “Engineering is really hard, are you going to be able to do it?” They were right, the engineering curriculum was really difficult but with lots of determination, willingness to learn, and caffeine I got through it.