Pronouns: She/Her
Lafayette Degree & Major(s): Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering; Minor in History
Graduate Degree: Masters of Science, Aerospace Engineering (2015) and Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering (2020), University of Tennessee
Location: Moffett Field, CA
Title: Aerospace Engineer
Employer: NASA Ames Research Center
Describe what your employer/organization does: NASA seeks to drive advances in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of Earth. This is accomplished through programmatic leadership and fundamental research while focusing on developing new tools and technology.
Please provide a brief overview of your role: I am an aerospace engineer in the Experimental Aero-Physics Branch under the Wind Tunnel Division. Currently, I serve as the Primary Investigator of Unsteady Pressure-Sensitive Paint (uPSP) for NASA, leading the development of new innovation to make the uPSP technology accessible and functional in NASA production wind tunnel facilities.
What gets you excited to go to work each day? I’m getting to do work that has never been done before that adds a lot of value to wind tunnel testing and I have a wonderful team to do the work with.
What keeps you up at night as you think about the opportunities (or challenges) related to your work? Funding and conflicting or changing priorities is always a struggle. NASA proves time and again that we can do a lot with a little. Getting to test unique models and solve unique aeroscience problems is the dream.
What key strengths are necessary to be successful in entering this career field? Practical application of engineering skills, effective communication in both presentations and technical papers/memos, ability to be in the lab for long periods of time, know a little bit about a lot and research what you don’t know, team work!
Is education beyond a Lafayette degree required to pursue this path? If you wanted to stay more technical, then a graduate degree is not necessary. However, it can help you advance faster. If you’re considering technical management or any type of project management, then it becomes more important. Any graduate degree related to the research you’re interested in will do. You may learn after working for a while that there is something more specific you’d like to learn, in which case going to graduate school will be beneficial. Lafayette provides a strong foundation to build off of.
How did your Lafayette experience equip you for success in your career field, especially as an early career professional? I honed the ability to ask questions and to be organized. I juggled multiple things throughout my time at Lafayette and those skills transferred nicely. You also never stop learning and seeing everything as a learning opportunity allows you to make better connections and ask the right questions.
What specific experiences during your time at Lafayette made the greatest impact on your professional path? Flexing leadership skills early. It doesn’t have to be technical leadership to learn how to do it well. I was able to directly apply what I was learning in the classroom to a lab environment, and practice all stages of experimental research concluding with presenting my work.
As it relates to career exploration and development, what is one thing that you know now that you wish you could go back in time and tell your student self? Reach out to people any means you can, even if you don’t have a direct connection to them. Also, don’t shy away from an internship the summer after your senior year.
What advice do you have for students interested in pursuing your career field? Although a masters degree isn’t required, it does help. Aerospace Engineering is also a very diverse field and we need all sorts of experts on almost any given project. So, if your passion is software development, don’t discount the aerospace field as a good application. Same goes for materials science or chemistry, etc. You’ll succeed if you love it.
What strategies, tools, or other efforts do you utilize to find “balance” or reduce your career-related stress? It’s harder to do when you’re still a grad student, but accepting the amount of work you got done during your 8-hour day and leaving work at work to focus on other things once you’re home. Also, making sure that you invest in friends and hobbies outside of work.
How do you enjoy spending your free time when not at work? Reading! But also: hiking, eating, going to concerts, musicals, movies, and travelling.
What was your favorite spot on Lafayette’s campus when you were a student? I’m not sure I had a favorite spot, but I enjoyed activities in certain places. I enjoyed finding peace under the Japanese Maples in front of Colton Chapel. I enjoyed talking with friends on the steps by the Fisher dorms. I enjoyed walking on the quad in the snow. And, when I had to work late, I enjoyed doing so with friends in Acopian.
Would you like to connect with Lara to learn more about her career path?
Dr. Lash is happy to connect with students via LinkedIn or email. If you’d like to connect with Dr. Lash by email, please contact your Gateway Career Counselor for details.
