Meet Julia Taylor, a 2022-2023 Graduate Dean's Award recipient. Julia is a doctoral student majoring in Aerospace Engineering.
Please give a short overview of your research.
In the past few years I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in a few different research projects. My first real exposure to research was with Dr. Stringer where I aided in running different mission profiles on the college’s eVTOL Test Bench. This was during my junior year and it made me excited to expand my knowledge and dive deeper into what I could do within the college. Last year, my senior year, I conducted a Senior Honors Thesis advised by Dr. Fisch to test the aerodynamic properties between different types of arrowheads. This was in collaboration with Dr. Eren from the Department of Anthropology and is still continuing to investigate arrowhead properties. Both of these experiences have taught me a tremendous amount of not only the information pertinent to the research question but diligence and determination as well. Most recently, what I’m looking forward to pursuing in graduate school is revolving around eVTOL applications to ultimately combine multiple discipline areas to predict and then improve motor health and reliability. This past summer Dr. Stringer, now my graduate advisor, invited me to join him at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for the Summer Faculty Fellowship Program. There we worked to create a thermodynamic model of a rotor-motor pairing at relatively high power settings during thermal soak. This is the first step in being able to predict the temperature of a motor and can lead to further implementations such as heat mitigation and safety.
What made you choose to pursue your graduate degree here at Kent State?
There were two main reasons I chose Kent State; the people and the connections. I have worked hard the past four years to build connections around campus and I had the opportunity to work with incredible people. From both the academic aspect and the extracurricular aspect, I have been able to find a home at Kent State. Knowing that there are so many more opportunities and ways to engage, I feel like I am really able to seize the rest of my time in grad school. While I did apply to other schools, I feel the most confident continuing here and I’m happy with my decision. I have a great support network and I’m enthusiastic about this journey ahead of me.
What do you enjoy most about attending Kent State for graduate school?
I will have to give my answer as TBD. I am beginning my first semester as a grad student this fall and while I know I’m going to enjoy the people, the research, and being a TA, I’m open to any unexpected excitement that may come!
What are your future goals?
Dr. Stringer had emailed me a while back as we were finalizing plans for me to attend Kent’s program and I think he summarized it well: “We're gonna work hard. We're gonna pursue a lot of money. We're gonna do a lot of research. We're gonna write a lot of papers. You're gonna learn how to teach. We're gonna have fun.” Of course the end goal is to graduate with my Ph.D. and I see myself going into either engineering management or teaching. However, if there’s anything my undergraduate time has taught me it’s that these experiences go fast and don’t wait for anyone. So true to Dr. Stringer’s words, I strive to learn to the best of my ability, take every opportunity possible, and have fun as I do it.
What does this award mean to you and how will it aid you?
One of my biggest concerns throughout college has been money and being financially aware of how my decisions affect me in the long-term. Facing every tuition bill each semester is nerve wracking to me but I know that I always figure it out, regardless of the extra effort it might take. However, I was nominated for this award which makes the fact that I’m being awarded it that much more impactful to me. Having more financial security is relieving but feeling recognized and supported is something I can’t put a price on. With these things, I feel aided in the sense that I have more time and more confidence to pursue my goals - and then surpass them!