Three Virginia Tech engineers reveal how a welcoming team, hands-on projects, and a little stubbornness can change the course of your career. Claudia Pack, Kate Taipale, and Madison Yeatts share how Design Build Fly took them from uncertain freshmen to women leading real aircraft design, testing, and manufacturing work. What makes this conversation stand out is how different their paths are—and how similar the outcome is. Claudia explains how her aerospace and chemistry background led to flight test engineering and a passion for pushing past “pushy” labels. Kate breaks down her Boeing internships on the V-22 Osprey, the reality of shop-floor engineering, and why DBF helped her realize she wants hands-on work, not a desk all day. Madison shares how a Framatome internship in nuclear design is expanding her view of mechanical engineering and why she’s now excited about systems-level thinking. You’ll hear how Design Build Fly actually works—from annual rule changes and flight missions to 60-page technical reports, prototype crashes, and all-night rebuilds. You’ll also hear what it takes to thrive in engineering when you’re often the only woman in the room, why asking for what you want matters, and how these three found confidence through mentorship, collaboration, and real responsibility.This episode is packed with practical insight for engineering students, women in STEM, and anyone wondering whether they belong in a technical field. If you need proof that the right team can turn hesitation into momentum, this conversation delivers it.

Claudia Pack is an aerospace engineering graduate from Virginia Tech who interned at BAE Systems and is moving into flight test engineering. Her experience in DBF and chemistry gives her a unique lens on design, testing, and propulsion.

Kate Taipale is a mechanical engineering graduate from Virginia Tech who interned at Boeing on the V-22 Osprey and has deep experience in composites, structures, and teaching as an undergraduate teaching assistant. She brings a candid perspective on adapting from school to industry and leading as chief engineer.

Madison Yeatts is a Virginia Tech mechanical engineering student interning at Framatome and stepping into a systems lead role on DBF. She brings the perspective of someone still in the middle of the journey, learning how hands-on engineering opens unexpected doors.Perfect for anyone who loves aerospace, project teams, and honest conversations about women carving out space in engineering. If you’ve ever doubted whether you belong in STEM, this one is worth your time.

In this episode, Aanya Gupta shares how her original goal of becoming a doctor evolved as she discovered coding, engineering, and computational public health. She discusses developing agent-based models to study vaccine uptake and disease spread, using synthetic data to estimate chronic disease prevalence, and experiencing the iterative process of turning research into published work.

She also reflects on working with clinicians and a patient through Stanford’s Clinical Science, Technology and Medicine internship, where her team developed an assistive robotic system that helped a woman with rheumatoid arthritis knit again. Aanya dives into studying quantum software through MIT Beaver Works, presenting technical research to hundreds of researchers and industry professionals, and exploring artificial intelligence as a software intern at Raytheon.

Beyond research, Aanya opens up about founding TJ Climbing, leading HackTJ, finding mentors, and learning how to create communities where other students can explore alongside her. She shares why she wishes she had spent less time worrying about the next achievement, why trying seemingly unrelated things helped her understand herself better, and why young women shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help, put themselves out there, and pursue whatever genuinely interests them—even when they don’t know exactly where it will lead.

Sofie Roux and Rachel Grant are Stanford engineers whose work spans solar-powered race cars, sustainable architecture, aerospace, and global education. As leaders of the Stanford Solar Car Project, they helped rebuild a struggling team, transform an aging vehicle into a second-place finisher, and prepare the next generation of students to design an entirely new car.

In this episode, Sofie shares how she founded Bloombox Design Labs at sixteen and began transforming shipping containers into solar-powered STEAM classrooms in Malawi. She also discusses her work as the Solar Array Lead for Stanford Solar Car, where every decision requires balancing energy capture, aerodynamics, reliability, and the needs of the larger team.

Rachel traces her unconventional path from collegiate volleyball and biomechanics research to mechanical engineering, combustion chemistry, and aerospace. She reflects on working as a build engineer on Starship’s propulsion system at SpaceX, studying the extreme conditions spacecraft encounter during reentry, and leading the mechanical development of Stanford’s solar car.

Together, Sofie and Rachel open up about all-nighters at the racetrack, learning through failure, rebuilding lost institutional knowledge, and finding lifelong friendships through engineering. They also share what it means to be one of the few women in the room—and why young women should never feel pressured to become quieter, less creative, or perfect in order to be taken seriously.

Sofie Roux and Rachel Grant are Stanford engineers whose work spans solar-powered race cars, sustainable architecture, aerospace, and global education. As leaders of the Stanford Solar Car Project, they helped rebuild a struggling team, transform an aging vehicle into a second-place finisher, and prepare the next generation of students to design an entirely new car.

In this episode, Sofie shares how she founded Bloombox Design Labs at sixteen and began transforming shipping containers into solar-powered STEAM classrooms in Malawi. She also discusses her work as the Solar Array Lead for Stanford Solar Car, where every decision requires balancing energy capture, aerodynamics, reliability, and the needs of the larger team.

Rachel traces her unconventional path from collegiate volleyball and biomechanics research to mechanical engineering, combustion chemistry, and aerospace. She reflects on working as a build engineer on Starship’s propulsion system at SpaceX, studying the extreme conditions spacecraft encounter during reentry, and leading the mechanical development of Stanford’s solar car.

Together, Sofie and Rachel open up about all-nighters at the racetrack, learning through failure, rebuilding lost institutional knowledge, and finding lifelong friendships through engineering. They also share what it means to be one of the few women in the room—and why young women should never feel pressured to become quieter, less creative, or perfect in order to be taken seriously.

Dr. Fardina F. Alam is the Program Director for Data Science at the University of Maryland, College Park and a researcher working at the intersection of machine learning and computational biology. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Dr. Alam began her career as a lecturer in Bangladesh before moving to the United States to pursue her Ph.D. at George Mason University.

In this episode, Dr. Alam shares what it was like to leave behind an established teaching position, adjust to a new country and academic system, and become a student again in a research-focused environment. She discusses how her curiosity led her from a traditional computer science background into computational biology, where she began using artificial intelligence to help computers understand the complex three-dimensional structures of proteins.

We also explore the unexpected moment when AlphaFold transformed the protein structure prediction problem she had been studying—and how she responded by reinventing her research instead of viewing the development as a setback. Dr. Alam explains how that shift led her toward protein structure representation learning and generation, eventually contributing to award-winning research and earning her department’s Outstanding Dissertation Award. She also shares her perspective on responsible AI use, the continued importance of human creativity and judgment, and why students must use emerging technologies without becoming dependent on them.

Beyond her research, Dr. Alam discusses becoming the first woman in her family to earn a doctorate, mentoring students through programs such as Break Through Tech AI, and creating classrooms where students feel comfortable asking for help. She reflects on balancing teaching, research, administration, mentorship, and family; navigating burnout; and learning not to compare her journey to those of others. Through her story, Dr. Alam reminds young women that there is no single path to success—and that curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to begin before feeling completely ready can take them further than they imagine.

Anastasia “Sasha” Lesniewski is an aerospace engineering student at Purdue University pursuing a minor in Global Engineering Studies. After discovering aerospace through a TikTok rabbit hole during high school, Sasha transformed a newfound fascination with space into a path that took her from growing up in Guatemala to studying at Purdue—the “Cradle of Astronauts.”

In this episode, Sasha shares how the limited aerospace opportunities she encountered in Guatemala shaped her commitment to making STEM more accessible to students from different backgrounds. She discusses how living internationally changed the way she approaches engineering problems, why engineers need strong communication and cross-cultural skills, and how her experiences inspired her to build a career centered on serving others.

We also explore Sasha’s involvement in Purdue’s Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education, her role as Social Chair for the aerospace honor society Sigma Gamma Tau, and her work developing interactive engineering projects for the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis through EPICS. Sasha opens up about finding community in a demanding major, balancing academic rigor with meaningful friendships, and creating supportive spaces where aerospace students can collaborate rather than compete.

Looking toward the future, Sasha discusses her interest in aerodynamics and hypersonics, her plans to study aerospace engineering abroad in Spain, and her goal of becoming a professor who conducts research while mentoring the next generation of engineers. She also shares the advice she wishes she could give her younger self: try everything, put yourself out there, and don’t allow the fear of failure to make decisions for you.

What does it take to build a Formula SAE race car from the ground up?

In this episode of the She Persists Podcast, I sit down with Christina, Lillian, Monica, and Yeheni from Monash Motorsport—one of Australia's leading Formula SAE teams. Together, we explore what goes into designing, testing, and racing a student-built vehicle, from aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics to autonomous systems, electrical engineering, and vehicle performance.

We talk about how Monash became a pioneer in Australia's driverless Formula SAE program, what it's like competing against universities from around the world, and the engineering challenges that come with building an electric race car almost entirely from scratch. The conversation also dives into the importance of testing, collaboration, and learning through failure—lessons that extend far beyond motorsport.

Beyond the technical side, we discuss what it's like to be women in a traditionally male-dominated field, finding confidence in unfamiliar spaces, building supportive communities, and why some of the most valuable skills in engineering have nothing to do with equations.

Whether you're passionate about engineering, motorsport, autonomous vehicles, or simply enjoy hearing the stories of women pushing boundaries in STEM, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Join Dr. Kerry Love, CEO of Sunflower Therapeutics, as she unveils how innovative biotech systems are revolutionizing vaccine access in underserved regions. Discover her journey from scientist to biotech leader, tackling global health issues like vaccine inequity and cervical cancer, while empowering local businesses and women in STEM. Explore groundbreaking biotech advances like continuous perfusion bioprocessing, making medicines more affordable and scalable. Dr. Love emphasizes the importance of diverse teams and compassionate leadership, proving that biotech innovation is about people as much as science. Perfect for aspiring scientists and entrepreneurs, this episode offers insights into leading with purpose and resilience for a healthier, more equitable world.

Most engineering students are told to focus on grades and internships—until they step into a competition and realize real innovation happens under chaos. Isabel Boncher and Riya Desai, leaders of the University of Michigan Mars Rover Team, reveal how they manage a 200-person engineering juggernaut, build robots that simulate Mars missions, and turn failure into fuel for success. In this episode, discover the inside story of designing a competitive robotic arm that increased its range of motion by 75%, and learn how these students master complex systems while balancing demanding workloads. Isabel shares her journey from freshman to team president—navigating leadership, design, and reliability challenges at a global competition in Utah—and how that experience catapulted her toward aerospace internships at Boeing and VAST. Riya opens up about machining over half of their robotic arm parts before college, and the thrill of troubleshooting a rover with no visibility—sometimes scoring points in the chaos. You'll also break down the culture of Michigan's intense yet supportive engineering environment, how project teams integrate with coursework, and the importance of mentorship—especially for women in tech. They reveal the secret sauce for balancing ambition and wellness, why asking questions is key, and how to push past the fear of standing out as a woman in engineering. If you’re dreaming of space, robotics, or just breaking through tough terrain, this episode is your blueprint for persistence, innovation, and leadership. Perfect for aspiring engineers, STEM enthusiasts, and anyone ready to turn setbacks into breakthroughs. Lessons learned here go far beyond the rover—because when you persist through chaos, you build not just machines, but your future.

Emma, Ariella, and Dhriti are building the electric race cars of the future. This episode takes you behind the scenes of designing a Formula SAE vehicle, highlighting teamwork, innovation, and breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces. Discover how they manage sensors, battery designs, and powertrain systems, turning challenges into growth opportunities. Emma shares her journey to SpaceX, Ariella discusses system integration, and Dhriti reveals powertrain design secrets. They also tackle imposter syndrome and foster a community of women in STEM. These young women prove that resilience and curiosity drive breakthroughs. Their stories challenge stereotypes and inspire future engineers. Whether you're passionate about tech or seeking inspiration, this episode offers a glimpse into the minds of tomorrow’s top EV engineers.