Dr. Orla Wilson
Today we’re launching a new feature for our website: faculty Q&As. Our first faculty interview is with Dr. Orla Wilson, senior lecturer of materials science and engineering.
How did you get interested in materials science and engineering?
My undergraduate and MSc were in analytical and organic chemistry respectively. After a “gap year” of sorts I ended up working in a research lab at the University of Melbourne, in collaboration with CSIRO and the Reserve Bank of Australia, on a project looking at improving the security features of Australia’s polymer banknotes. This stint is what I consider my foray into materials science and engineering. We were looking at designing and fabricating nanoparticles–with a very specific function–and then figuring out what needed to be done to incorporate the nanoparticles into the polymer films. When I eventually went back to school to get my PhD it was in materials chemistry, and I knew then that my primary interest was in figuring out how the structure of a material impacted the resulting properties of that material.
What interests you the most about materials science?
The kick I get out of looking at something and thinking about it, whatever it may be, in terms of the materials paradigm of processing-structure-properties-performance. And then being able to encourage the people around me to think about that material and what it can do, and why it can do what it can do. This is especially fulfilling to me if the people aren’t inherently scientifically-minded. The “wow” factor always wins. Realizing that all the big advances that have occurred over the last few decades and that are likely to occur in the next few will all come down to developing new and better materials makes DMSE a very exciting place to be!
What’s your favorite class to teach and why?
I’m completely spoiled because I get to interact with our students for their last four semesters: two semesters as juniors in the lab class and then the two semesters of senior design. If I had to choose between those 2 classes, I would probably pick Senior Design. Many of the students start that year off not knowing what they want to do after graduation and in complete denial that they will have a project worthy of presenting by the end of their year. To be able to watch and be a small part of their progress and growth over their final year in the department is a huge privilege, which I treasure.
What advice do you have for young students and engineers engaging in materials research?
I read an article today about a 50-year-old Spaniard who had had received a 3D-printed Titanium sternum and ribcage prosthetic designed and fabricated specifically for his body. Whether it is in a biomaterials-based lab designing and fabricating prosthetics, or on a Design Team looking at designing an on-board diagnostic system for bicycles which will collect live, real-time data about the bending, flexing, and strains by the static components of a bicycle, there are options for all our undergrads in the department. These opportunities are what makes our department special. In the slightly paraphrased words of Tim Minchin, from one of the best commencement speeches ever, “You don’t need to know what you are going to do with the rest of your life, but you should be intellectually rigorous and hard on your opinions. Realize you are lucky to be here and embrace everything you can- there is nothing wrong with pursuing short term goals for these few years. And finally, don’t make the mistake of thinking the arts and sciences are at odds with one another. The arts and sciences need to work together to improve how knowledge is communicated.” So please, above all, be a good communicator! Figure out how to tell your great grandma about what you’re doing in lab and learning about in your electives. If you can do that, it means you understand your field.
What would students be surprised to learn about you?
I can almost ride my unicycle. I traveled around Australia in a VW Kombi van (sky blue with clouds painted allover it) for 6 months working on banana farms, pear farms, and in youth hostels. I will be glued to the TV for the next five weekends watching the Rugby World Cup and cheering for Ireland. I don’t know how to bake. I wear an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor and am very interested in all diabetes-related research.