Women in MechSE Spotlight: From undergrad research to graduate school

By Helen Chang

As a research institution, Illinois offers thousands of opportunities for students to pursue research, from independent studies to undergraduate and graduate research groups. Recent graduate and Orland Park, Illinois native Grace Smith (BSME 2024) is a representation of how to use these opportunities to build your future.

“I started my research with Professor Alison Dunn, where we analyzed a click beetle using mechanical systems,” Grace said. “It was a great experience, and it led me to my next research topic.” She then worked as an intern at Cadence Design System, where she used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to benchmark designs and meshes.

“The internship helped me with work experience and to determine whether I wanted to go to graduate school or into industry,” Grace said. “I knew that I wanted to continue to graduate school, but it was a great glimpse into a prospective future for myself. I also realized I enjoy a lot of hands-on experimental work, which is what I worked on when I returned to Illinois.”

Back in Illinois during her senior year, Grace worked in Professor Arend van der Zande’s 2D Nanomaterials Lab, where she developed strain resilient transistors with nanoscale wrinkling. She created a uniaxial testing device and experimented with a multitude of thicknesses of different materials. “I love to do experimental work in research–and exploring all my options helped me really solidify what I liked to do,” she said.

As an undergraduate, Grace served as a fundraising committee chair for the Society of Women in Engineering (SWE), Vice President of Internal Affairs for Women in MechSE (WiM), and the Vice President of Internal Affairs for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). As part of her efforts, she worked on building Thor’s hammer, a compound pulley demonstration, and a chocolate 3D printer for Engineering Open House through the ASME/ WiM special projects committees. She has also worked hand-in-hand with faculty on the education team for the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP), a mission for which she is especially passionate.

“I work on planning how to better contribute to iCAP through education,” she said. “We are looking for better ways to incorporate sustainability in classes, especially general education requirement classes.” Following this passion, she has continued to Massachusetts Institute of Technology to earn an MS in mechanical engineering and hopes to progress to a PhD.

Outside of engineering, she explores her love for music. “I have been passionate about singing since the fifth grade,” she said. “I did competitive a cappella in high school–I loved choir, so I enjoy arranging pop songs for a cappella and teaching the music to people as Music Director.” During the semester, Grace typically devotes three hours to Women’s Glee Club, and five hours to Off the Record, an a cappella group on campus (in photo, above).

When asked for advice for prospective students in MechSE, she emphasized that students should go for exciting opportunities. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors!” she urged. “If you are interested in something, don’t hold yourself back–it’s important to try.”

Grace also encourages new students to find their community. “You might not find it right away but trust me–you’ll find your people!” she said. “Join clubs, get involved. Exert yourself and go to events! Upperclassmen are always willing to help, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.”