Suzanne Russo
The Institute of Materials Science & Engineering
Degree pursuing: PhD in materials science & engineering
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Where did you complete your undergraduate degree?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
What motivated you to earn a graduate engineering degree?
The variety of jobs and independence a doctoral degree will provide in the workforce. Specifically, to have the opportunity to work as a college professor or lecturer in the future.
Please provide your lab and a description of research.
I work in the Katherine Flores lab and work on metallic glass simulations to study the origins of mechanical deformation behavior.
What drew you to this area of research?
I wanted to study the structure-properties relationships of materials. I was also interested in a project that combines modeling work with experiments.
Why did you pick WashU?
I liked that WashU provided research rotations before selecting an adviser. This was important for me as I wanted to spend a lot of time in the lab before making my decision. I also liked the collaborative research environment at WashU.
Who is your favorite instructor and why?
My favorite instructor so far has been Bryce Sadtler, associate professor of chemistry. He provided the information in a very clear yet interesting way. It was obvious he cared about his students and was always available to help.
What advice would you give to a new student?
I would urge a new student to get involved in activities outside of their lab early on. By joining clubs and student government, you’ll meet so many new people who can become friends and mentors along your PhD journey. It’s also nice to take your mind off research for a while.
What is your favorite thing about St. Louis?
I love all the free activities in St. Louis. Forest Park has so many, including several museums, performances and live music. If you do a little bit of research, you’ll find lots of unique events in St. Louis.
What campus activities or groups would you recommend to a new student?
Join student governments such as the Graduate Professional Council (GPC) or the Graduate Student Senate (GSS). Also, the Association of Graduate Engineering Students (AGES) puts on a lot of fun events for engineering students throughout the year.
What are your plans for the future?
As of now, I would like to work as a teaching professor in materials science.