Afleveringen
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Dee Kivett is an engineer and leader whose career spans mechanical engineering, engineering science, automotive engineering, business—and even NASCAR. Dee is the CEO & President of NextGen Supply Chain Integrators (NextGen SCI), a rapid‑response consulting firm known for delivering high‑standards supply chain solutions across aerospace, defense, medical devices, and more as well as the Undergraduate Academic Program Director for the Clemson Department of Automotive Engineering. And as if that’s not enough, she’s also a Six Sigma Master Black Belt. At the risk of sounding like Stefon from SNL, this episode has everything: Dee’s family’s legacy with Wood Brothers Racing, the oldest NASCAR team in the Cup Series; how diversity of experience, background, and perspective strengthens engineering groups and reduces groupthink; and why treating people how they want to be treated (not how you want to be treated) makes teams stronger and more connected.
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Dr. Heather Bobbitt earned her PhD from Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering and now serves as Motorsports Tire Research and Development Leader at General Motors, guiding a team developing cutting‑edge tire models for high‑performance simulation. We explore what an average day looks like in motorsports R&D, how she navigates the boundary between simulation and track testing, and what she does first when the model and the data don’t agree. Heather also shares insights on conflict management, documentation that lasts for years, and the communication failures in racing environments that shaped her leadership. Don’t miss her reflections on what her 19‑year‑old FSAE self would be most surprised by today!
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Cameron Croll is a self‑described disruptor whose career spans applications engineering, shipbuilding, maritime defense, and now AI‑enabled safety and sustainability at Wärtsilä Energy. A graduate of Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering program, Cameron currently serves as the Americas QEHSS Program Manager, and his path through mechanical engineering required a specific instance where he had to take a leap of faith and step outside of his comfort zone (spoiler: it paid off). We also dig into how he built a career by stepping into unfamiliar roles, pushing for clarity in technical communication, and championing AI as a meaningful tool—not a buzzword. Cameron brings honesty, humor, and a refreshing perspective on leadership, systems thinking, and engineering communication.
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In this episode , I interview Matthew Wiles, P.E., Vice President and COO of ECR Engines of Richard Childress Racing. Matt earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering department his master’s degree in the same field from the University of Wisconsin-Madison of Wisconsin–Madison.
We talk about professionalization in engineering, breaking into the race car industry, and working effectively in team-based environments. This is a special episode because it’s also available as a full video on YouTube—be sure to check it out!
#EngineeringPodcast #MechanicalEngineering #MotorsportsEngineering #EngineeringCareers #YouTubePodcast
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In the latest episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast I talk with Marie Paretti, Virginia Tech Engineering Education Professor, who brings a rare blend of expertise with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, an M.A. in English, both from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She explains how her dual background shapes her view of communication and engineering as parallel systems—each rooted in inputs, processes, and outputs—and also shares what effective interdisciplinary work really requires. Marie also accounts for how she grounds her teaching in workplace practicality by understanding what your audience actually needs (which is very different from what your audience needs when you’re a student). If you're an engineering student who’s nervous about going into the workforce, this is a great episode for you. And if you’re an engineering student who’s NOT nervous about going into the workforce, this is a great episode for you.
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A few weeks ago, Amir Lahoud from Virginia Tech’s radio station, WUVT-FM Blacksburg, invited me to record a special episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast for their station with guest Matt Nowinski—and I’m so glad I said yes! Matt brings a wealth of wisdom and great stories from his engineering career. Before joining the faculty at Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering, he spent more than two decades at Boeing as a Software Engineer. His insights, advice, and experiences make this episode a must-listen for engineers at any stage of their careers.
And be sure to tune in to Matt’s show, “Dr. Grind’s Office Hours,” airing Thursdays from 1:00–2:30 PM on WUVT!
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In this episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, I sat down with Connor Herron, a Locomotion Controls Engineer at Persona AI, where he develops software and algorithms that bring humanoid robots to life. Connor shares why engineering is, at its core, a form of storytelling, and why engineers must understand the problem they’re solving, who it impacts, and why it matters. We also dig into how to become an adaptable problem solver, a skill Connor refers to as “The Knack.” His perspective on flexibility and iterative thinking is especially valuable for early‑career engineers.
Connor also gives well‑deserved shoutouts to his mentors Alexander Leonessa, his graduate advisor and current Department Head of Clemson University Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University, and Benjamin Beiter, Mechanical Engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), for shaping his approach to robotics, leadership, and communication.
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Laura Moss is a Stability and Radiological Analysis Engineer at GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. She has a chemical engineering degree from Virginia Tech Department of Chemical Engineering a master’s from NC State University Nuclear Engineering. We covered some fascinating topics during our conversation—everything from ethics and safety in nuclear engineering to why clear and concise documentation is critical in the field. Laura also shared some great advice for engineering students on how to stand out at job fairs and make a strong impression on potential employers.
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Ever wondered how engineering drawings and a few failures can shape an engineer’s career? In this episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we sit down with Craig Keys, an alum from Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering and a Senior Engineer at Caterpillar Inc. Craig takes us behind the scenes of designing drivetrain systems for small wheel loaders, shares why GD&T is a game-changer for engineering drawings and global communication, and explains why failure isn’t just inevitable—it’s essential. Beyond his technical expertise, Craig is passionate about giving back to the community. He served on the board of Lifting Minorities and helped lead scholarship efforts like the George L. Paige Award, ensuring future generations have opportunities to succeed. As an added bonus, tune in to hear his most memorable moments from his time at Tech and how they still influence his work today!
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We’re thrilled to welcome Hannah Carroll, P.E. to the next episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast!
Hannah brings a fascinating blend of engineering expertise and forensic insight to the conversation. With a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree from Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech, she’s built a career that bridges biomechanics, mechanical systems, and the legal world. Currently a Mechanical/Biomechanics Engineer at S-E-A, Hannah reconstructs accident scenarios and analyzes injury mechanisms using physics, lab testing, and simulation. Her work supports forensic investigations and safety evaluations in high-stakes environments.
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What happens when engineering meets health equity? In our latest episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we sit down with Ashley Taylor, Ph.D., MPH, a powerhouse in interdisciplinary research and inclusive education.
Ashley brings a unique blend of expertise—holding degrees from Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and Virginia Tech Engineering Education—and is currently a Collegiate Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech. Her work centers on community-based partnerships that aim to reduce educational and health disparities, and she’s passionate about amplifying the voices and lived experiences of marginalized communities.
Tune in to hear how Ashley is reshaping engineering education and global health through equity-driven research, and why centering community voices is essential for meaningful innovation.
#EngineeringCommunication #HealthEquity #InclusiveEducation #STEM #Podcast #VirginiaTech #BiomedicalEngineering #GlobalHealth #CommunityEngagement
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Ever wondered how an octopus or a snake could inspire the future of robotics? In our latest episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, I sit down with Noel Naughton, Assistant Professor in Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering department, to explore his fascinating research in soft robotics—designed for hard-to-access environments.
We dive into: 🔹 How nature’s movers (like octopuses and snakes) are shaping robotic design🔹 Why data visualization isn’t just pretty—it’s powerful (shoutout to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign!)🔹 And the most important section of a research paper (spoiler: it’s not the conclusion 👀).
Whether you're into engineering, communication, or just love a good interdisciplinary convo, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.
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In this season's final episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, Aleem Ahmed talks with Eszter Anna Varga, a graduate of both Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech and Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering. She's currently an Aerospace System Safety Engineer at Honeywell. This episode has it all: working as an Aerospace Engineer in Europe (an uncommon field in Hungary); dealing with success, rejection, and failure as an engineer; and the importance of writing in engineering. Bonus feature: hear her behind-the-scenes story about her recent Ted Talk (hosted by TEDxDebrecen)!
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We have another episode ready for you! In this episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we talk with Jim Hess. Jim has an impressive resume, holding management and leadership positions at companies like Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., and Saft. He now spends his time as an Instructor for Engineering Capstone Programs in the Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering department. If you're interested in how to be an effective mentor over the course of your engineering career, you'll want to listen to this episode.
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We're back with another episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast! In this episode we talk with Yedhartha Sai Chinnasani, E.I.T, a Rolling Stock Engineer at Mott MacDonald. Tune in to learn more about effective documentation skills and the benefits of volunteering for FIRST Robotics Canada!
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In this episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we talk with Walter Lee, an Associate Professor in the Virginia Tech Engineering Education Department. Dr. Lee is also the Director for Research in the Virginia Tech Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity and serves as the Interim Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence in the Virginia Tech College of Engineering. If you're looking for great research, publication, and writing tips (especially about professional correspondence and grant writing endeavors), this is the episode for you!
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In this episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we talk with Gurbinder Kaur, PhD, a Senior R&D Engineer at Mitra Chem. Dr. Kaur earned her doctorate at Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology and was a post-doctoral fellow in the Virginia Tech Materials Science and Engineering department. A prolific writer, Dr. Kaur has published numerous journal articles and three books (and edited four more!). Join us to learn more about the differences between short-form and long-form STEM publications, particularly when it comes to framing your argument. And, as an added bonus, you’ll get to hear us geek out over the importance of writing outlines.
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In the Season 3 premiere of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we talk with Durgesh Chandel, Ph.D., a Software Research Engineer/Scientist at Intel Corporation. Join us to learn more about Durgesh's career path that led her from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur to NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration to Massachusetts Institute of Technology to becoming the founder of WeLEAP Aerospace - Global, a nonprofit that supports women in Aerospace Engineering. Along the way, we learn not only about her engineering research but also the communication required in each position.
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In our final podcast of the season, Johan J. interviews Dr. Jonathan Boreyko, a graduate from Trinity College-Hartford and Duke University, is an Associate Professor in Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering. Tune in to learn all about the innovative research he and his grad assistants are conducting in his Nature-Inspired Fluids and Interfaces Lab at Virginia Tech and how they translate their lab work into published journal articles (teaser: it involves intensive writing workshops!).
Thank you to everyone who supports this podcast! We’ve received a lot of great accolades from you all, and we have a great line up of guests for our upcoming episodes. We’re going on a summer hiatus, but we’ll return for our next season of The Engineering Communication Podcast in September 2024, so stay tuned!
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In this episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we talk with Jared Wicker. Jared is a graduate of Clemson University and currently works at X-energy as an Environmental Licensing Engineer. If you’re an engineer who needs to write for a variety of audiences, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
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