Meet Yuki Ainge, a chemical engineer who travels to hospitals and laboratories to help set up and troubleshoot equipment.
When did you first become interested in STEM?
I have always had a love for math and science. In high school, I knew I wanted to do something in science, but I happened to get put on an all girls engineering floor in my freshman year of college and was inspired by all the brilliant women around me. Where I grew up, I didn’t have any role models or examples of people going into engineering so I didn’t really understand what it was until I got to college.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I went to Northeastern University and studied chemical engineering. There I was able to do three internships during college and worked in various different industries and environments. It was a great way to try out different things to see what I enjoyed doing.
What is your current career and how do you use your interests in STEM on a day-to-day basis?
I am currently a Field Service Tech for Roche Diagnostics. I go to different labs or hospitals to help the laboratories fix their tissue diagnostic instruments. I use my STEM knowledge and technical skills to troubleshoot and diagnose problem instruments.
What do you like most about your current job?
I like that I get to be an expert on specific instruments and also to interact with and learn from so many different people in their labs.
What advice would you give to young girls who are interested in pursuing STEM activities or careers?
To always ask questions and never be ashamed of not knowing something. Being unashamed and curious is so important to learning as much as you can.
Anything else our girls would be interested in knowing about you?
I am very interested in environmental issues, I try to stay active and aware of what is happening in renewable energy and other environmentally focused initiatives. I hope to get more involved in the future.