Would you like to learn a new language? Or do work that makes a difference in society? Research might be the right path for you.
In this episode we meet two UQ researchers, Dr Carolyn Jacobs and Katarzyna Hourigan, who completed their PhD degrees in the area of mechanical and chemical engineering respectively.
Carolyn completed her PhD in a ‘cotutelle’ program, which was a dual enrolment at The University of Queensland and École Centrale Paris as part of UQ’s Centre for Hypersonics.
Katarzyna completed her undergraduate studies in Poland, followed by a Master’s Degree in Denmark, before finally landing in Australia to complete a PhD in nanotechnology at The University of Queensland.
Who knew a career in academia could take you around the world!
To learn more about studying engineering at UQ visit the Future Students website.
Duration: 22:38 mins
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Meet our guests
Dr Carolyn Jacobs
Carolyn is a recently appointed academic in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at UQ. Carolyn completed her PhD in a ‘cotutelle’ program, which was a dual enrolment at UQ and École Centrale Paris (now CentraleSupélec, France), as part of UQ’s Centre for Hypersonics. The focus of this project was on spacecraft heating during atmospheric entry. Following her doctoral work, Carolyn completed a postdoctoral project with the Centre des Etudes Spatiales, a French aerospace agency, and then lectured at CentraleSupélec and the University of the Sunshine Coast. Her research interests focus on plasma – both thermal plasma seen in atmospheric entry and non-thermal plasma for medical applications. Her expertise is in experimental testing and facilities, including optical emission spectroscopy for radiation measurement and analysis.
Connect with Carolyn on LinkedIn.
Katarzyna Hourigan
Katarzyna is a Scientific Researcher at the Nanocellulose Pilot Facility within The University of Queensland. She has recently completed a doctorate in materials engineering at UQ. In her PhD, Katarzyna investigated Australian spinifex grass as a resource to produce nanocellulose material. She also explored energy-efficient processes of producing nanocellulose – a material that has the potential to replace synthetic plastics, e.g. in the packaging industry. Katarzyna obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical and Process Engineering in Poland (2013) and a Master of Science in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering degree from in Denmark (2016). During her studies, she undertook an exchange to UQ and carried out her Master Thesis research at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at UQ. Prior her PhD she has worked in the industry gaining experience at the major medical device company in Denmark. Katarzyna was one of the UQ Women in Engineering Student Leaders, helping to inspire and encourage females to study engineering. She is a passionate advocate for women and girls in STEM.
Connect with Katarzyna on LinkedIn.
