Catherine Klapperich
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Boston University
What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?
I was a lone wolf! I did school newspaper in high school and wasn’t really encouraged in science by teachers. I intended to go to Northwestern to study journalism and changed to the school of engineering in my first semester — simply because I thought it was cool!
What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?
What I do now is very cool! But the project that hooked me was part of a freshman seminar course at NWU. We were allowed to use the SEM in the Materials Science Department to do any project we chose. I looked at bugs, up close and personal. They let me use the machine by myself, and at 18 years old, that felt like incredible power!
Role models/heroes:
My graduate mentor, Lisa Pruitt and my post doc mentor, Carolyn Bertozzi. I owe so much to both of them.
Why do you love working in STEM?
I love my job because I am in charge of my intellectual life. There is no substitue for that kind of freedom.
Advice for future STEMinists?
The best “outreach” you can do is to be a good example to others. Work hard, be creative and be nice!
Favorite website or app:
Twitter and Mendeley!
Twitter: @DrKlapperich
Website: www.bu.edu/klapperich, www.facebook.com/klapperichlab
