Meet Susanna, a Surface Scientist
My name is Susanna, and I'm a surface scientist.
Even in the first grade, I liked science. I found books at the library on every topic from the ocean to the stars. From that point, being a scientist was for me. So, my schooling was basically planned. I was supposed to go from high school to college, and then I would be a scientist. Only it didn't work out quite that way.
While in college I met a great guy, fell in love, and got married. The real twist was that he was in the Navy. Now I had to look at a career differently because if we were to spend time together I had to be able to move when he did. I became a teacher.
The good news was that all the math and science which prepared me to be a scientist had also prepared me to be a teacher. As we moved from California to Japan to Spain to Virginia, I could always find a job teaching science and math. I had both flexibility and a career.
In Virginia, my life took another twist. I was offered the opportunity to work towards a master's degree in physics. Now I could be a scientist!
As a graduate student in physics, I was accepted in a research program at NASA Langley. We looked at how materials changed when exposed to radiation. This was part of a BIGGER project designing the space station.
As you know the earth's atmosphere shields us from a great deal of radiation. If we are to put structures in space and want them to last, we need materials which can withstand this radiation. Our experiment was to bombard different types of polymers (plastic) with electrons and then perform a variety of tests to see how the material was changed. Some crumbled in our hands after exposure to the electrons. Others had virtually no change.
Langley was the place where I was able to see what scientists really do perform experiments, analyze data, purchase equipment and supplies, make presentations, write reports, discuss ideas, and LEARN and LEARN and LEARN.
After finishing my masters degree, I applied to a Navy rework facility where workers take airplanes apart and replace or repair parts to make it like new. They called me the day they received my application. They needed someone with my background. I was hired the next day!
While working for the Navy, I studied oil, hydraulic fluid, aluminum honeycomb, paints, grease, bearings, and just about anything associated with airplanes. We also helped determine the cause of airplane crashes. It was amazing work! Everyone worked on a piece of the puzzle, and then together, we would look at the big picture and solve the mystery. Some people may believe that scientists work all alone in a lab somewhere. But we have lots of interaction and often meet to share ideas and problems.
Now I study materials at Micron. My job here is much the same. I learn as much as I can about the problems that exist as we look for a solution. Every day is a challenge. My job provides information critical to the production of memory chips.
What's next? I'm not exactly sure, but there must be a third career just around the corner.
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