The Bigger Picture: My Journey to a Purposeful Life and Career in Academia

Abstract

I am a chemical and biological engineer teaching introductory engineering courses; I am an engineering education researcher with an interest in broadening opportunities for diverse students; I am the only Latina woman assistant professor in my college and a minority in my community; I am a mom of two small children (7 and 3.5), and I am married to my husband of 12 years and many more to come; I am powerful and impactful, my life is purposeful and part of a bigger picture.

About the Author

Education and Professional Career

2004:

BS Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR

2007:

MS Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

2009:

PhD Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

2009–2011:

Postdoctoral Research Training Fellow, Analytical Neurobiology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

2011–2013:

Lecturer, Fischell Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

2013–present:

Assistant Professor of Engineering Education, Utah State University, Logan, UT

2014–present:

Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT

2016–present:

Director, Steelcase Strong and Healthy Identities in Engineering (SHInE) Active Learning Center, Logan, UT

Honors and Awards (Selected)

2017:

Engineering Education Undergraduate Mentor of the Year, Utah State University

2017–present:

National Science Foundation CAREER Award

2015:

RAND Policy Institute Fellow

2014:

Research and Graduate Studies Washington, D.C., Faculty Fellow

2014:

Alternate, National Science Foundation ENG IDEAS LAB

2011–2013:

Chesapeake Bay Project Faculty Fellow, University of Maryland, College Park

2012–2013:

Center for Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow, University of Maryland, College Park

2010:

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science Leadership Institute Award Recipient and Participant

2009:

National Institutes of Health Incentive for Maximizing Student Development Trainee Award

2008:

Honorable Mentions for Fellowship Application, Ford Foundation

2008:

Invited Guest Speaker for Puerto Rico Space Grant Consortium External Advisory Board, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao

2006:

Invited Guest Speaker for NASA STS-116 space shuttle launch in Kennedy Space Center, Florida

2004:

Academic Excellence in Science and Engineering Dean’s Award, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

2003:

Second Place in American Institute of Chemical Engineers Student Poster Competition, San Francisco, California

Idalis has a passion for education and student development. Through her research in engineering education and development of new and modular active learning environments, she seeks to help improve student outcomes (e.g., performance) and broaden participation in science, technology, engineering, and math.