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

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.

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!

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. 

 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. 

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!

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.

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

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.

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)!