Women in STEM

Women in STEM make a remarkable impact every day, and it’s no different here at SDL. They continue to lead the way for future generations to pursue their ambitions of working in STEM-related fields. Get to know some of the incredible people who help us deliver mission success.

Kendra S. | Electro-Optical Engineer

What inspired you to pursue this career?

In high school, I had an amazing Calculus I & II teacher. He made math a lot of fun and I loved going to class. I also had a great physics and astronomy teacher who made learning interactive. This love of math and science made the idea to pursue engineering an easy decision.

What do you love about your job?

I love the hands-on aspect of working in a lab. I love seeing the whole process come together: seeing an idea go from a thought to a CAD design, to being fabricated in the shop, to being built in our lab. It is fun to work with all the moving parts to make it come together. I also love the team I work with! Everyone works hard and works together to achieve a common goal.

What project or accomplishment are you most proud of?

I worked at NASA for two summers as an intern. During the second summer, I helped measure the flatness of the mirror segments for the James Webb Space Telescope. It was amazing being in the same room as the JWST!

What advice would you pass on to those just beginning their STEM careers?

Jump in and try new things! It’s good to step out of your comfort zone and take on tasks that are challenging. When you take on those challenging tasks, don’t be afraid to ask questions, because you are part of a team, and other people are willing to help guide you through the problem-solving process.

Holly W. | Materials Process Engineering Group Lead

What inspired you to pursue this career?

I have degrees in chemistry, so I’ve always been interested in how everything is connected and how different materials interact.

What do you love about your job?

I love working with great coworkers on interesting and challenging projects.

What project or accomplishment are you most proud of?

My group has spent the last four years developing the Materials Process Engineering documentation and procedures. Having these in place helps us all be on an even playing field when performing our duties, setting expectations, and working with our coworkers. It also helps us communicate what we do and how we do it to customers and auditors. I am so proud of my whole team for their dedication to making this happen.

What advice would you pass on to those just beginning their STEM careers?

Always be open to learning. Recognize that you will constantly be learning new things, even when you no longer sit in a classroom.

Twinkle P. | Materials Process Engineer

What inspired you to pursue this career?

My interest in engineering was sparked by my mother, a computer engineer. Learning about CERN, nanotechnology, and intriguing 2D materials further fueled my curiosity and inspired me to delve deeper into these subjects. I grew up watching Bill Nye the Science Guy and Extreme Engineering, which was also engaging to me.

What do you love about your job?

I love the hands-on nature of this job, especially because it involves space and materials—exactly what I envisioned for my career. The people here are also fantastic; they're friendly and exceptionally bright!

What project or accomplishment are you most proud of?

I was excited when I had to sample one of our biggest chambers after testing for contaminates. (The testing was successful with no contaminates!) It felt like I was doing acrobats in there.

What advice would you pass on to those just beginning their STEM careers?

Take your time, ask for help, and fully take advantage of your university education. Mentorship can accelerate your learning and help you navigate challenges effectively. This career can be demanding, but stay passionate about your work and find projects and roles that align with your interests and values. Persistence goes a long way, so don't shy away from challenges—they are great opportunities for growth.

Ryann R. | Mechanical Engineering Associate

What inspired you to pursue this career?

I have always loved to build things. Growing up, I loved to take things apart and put them back together. I also loved to build car models, Legos, and puzzles.

What do you love about your job?

I love that I get to build and create things every day. (I mean, I still get to build models and solve puzzles like I did growing up!)

What project or accomplishment are you most proud of?

The fact that I’m working at SDL at all! I work on projects that really make a difference, and I get to do it while working with really great people.

What advice would you pass on to those just beginning their STEM careers?

It’s okay to not know exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life—many people change their minds all the time. Explore what works best for you, but if you enjoy doing something enough that you think you want to do it for a living, make it happen. With enough grit and determination, there is nothing but excuses holding you back. Opportunities are meant for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from, but they are not just handed out—you have to work for them.