Natasha (she/her) earned her BS in mechanical engineering from CU 麻豆影院. She worked as a civilian nuclear engineer for the US Navy in Honolulu, Hawai鈥檌, before returning to CU 麻豆影院. She is currently an Engineering Project Consultant with the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program (ITLP), engaging students in the engineering design process and offering feedback to improve the student experience with hands-on engineering activities. Welcome to the CEAS community, Natasha!聽
Where is the best place you鈥檝e traveled to and why?
I lived in Madrid for six months in 2018, and it鈥檚 still my favorite city. It combines all the perks of city life with gorgeous architecture and an eclectic, friendly population.
Which TV show do you never miss?
Doctor Who! The message of hope and kindness at its core really resonates with me 鈥 plus it has some truly silly and fun episodes.
What is an ordinary moment in your life that brings you joy?
Making drip coffee in the morning.
What is a motto or quote that you hold dear and why?
鈥淥ne day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, 鈥淲hat are you doing?鈥 The youth replied, 鈥淭hrowing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don鈥檛 throw them back, they鈥檒l die.鈥 鈥淪on,鈥 the man said, 鈥渄on鈥檛 you realize there are miles and miles of beach, and hundreds of starfish? You can鈥檛 make a difference!鈥 After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said鈥 鈥淚t made a difference for that one.鈥
鈥 Common adaptation of The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley
I heard the 鈥渟tarfish story鈥 when I was in high school, and it made me realize that I could pass along the help that had been offered to me, even when the underlying issues seemed overwhelming.
One thing you鈥檙e willing to spend way too much on...
Any kind of survival gear! Do I really need to carry rope or flint and steel? Probably not! But what if鈥
What has been your favorite work or personal project so far?
I got the chance in 2020 to work with some incredible people to found Pearl Pride, Pearl Harbor Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility鈥檚 first LGBT+ Employee Resource Group.