Tiffany Suekama - Ph.D. Student Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

As a child, I never dreamed of being able to create the future. I never thought I would be doing research alongside the best and brightest. That all changed when I started doing research as an undergraduate, and continues as I work hard as a doctoral student in the chemical and petroleum engineering department at the University of Kansas (KU). When looking at graduate institutions, I met with a professor at KU who encouraged me to apply to the Ph.D. program, and I am in my second year of graduate study as of this past summer. I knew KU was a good fit for me after I witnessed the excitement of KU’s students, faculty, and staff.

I’ve always been interested in the medical field, and I hope to get a medical degree after earning my Ph.D.; although lately, I have been interested in integrating food science into health and nutrition. I want to help ongoing organizations and programs to develop a cure for cancer, support funding, control diseases, and promote knowledge of early detection and prevention by exercise, diet, nutrition, and therapy. I would also like to use my knowledge to study regeneration using biomaterials. As a Japanese American and a woman, I have observed few female minorities with a Ph.D. or advanced degree involved in research and higher education. To me, it would be a great accomplishment to obtain a Ph.D. at KU and become part of a growing community of female and minority professors.

Currently, I am working on hydrogels with Dr. Stevin Gehrke. These are polymeric networks that swell dramatically in water. The project focuses on the basic science question of how to create these materials with improved mechanical strength and fracture properties. Throughout the summer, I am also involved in the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program, which focuses on helping 4th and 5th grade teachers integrate engineering topics, more specifically material science and hydrogels, into their curriculum.

In addition to my research interests, I am very active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and plan to attend their annual conference this fall in Salt Lake City, UT. Being an ambassador for the last year has given me the opportunity to interact with many students and attend events, including traveling to the AIChE conference. Besides school, I enjoy many outdoor activities, including rock climbing and scuba diving for the Dive Rescue Team.

Prospective students may contact me at kuengr@ku.edu.