Kai Li-Caldwell: Outstanding senior in materials engineering

Clubs and activities

I have been part of a political activism group called Future We Demand. The group focuses on creating political change specifically in Iowa. As a relatively new group, I have gotten to see the group grow and establish its footing. I hope to keep in touch with the members of the group and the statewide organization as they continue to create real change in Iowa. 

Valuable hands-on learning in class

My senior design project has required me to cumulatively apply almost every skill that I have gained in my undergrad. Soft skills like collaboration with a group, technical writing, and presentation skills. Then the integration of our materials science and engineering knowledge, where I had the opportunity to combine both content in my classes like thermodynamics and nonferrous metallurgy and experience gained in my undergraduate research with shape memory alloys. 

Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience

Outside of class I have been an undergraduate researcher at Ames National Laboratory for over two years. Having the opportunity to work at a national laboratory opened my eyes to the world of research and helped me realize that I wanted to continue doing research, go to graduate school, and then eventually pursue a career in research and development. 

Most influential mentor

Dr. Alan Constant is an excellent professor in the materials engineering department. He has a great sense of humor and an awesome teaching style. His classes in electronic and magnetic properties of materials largely steered my interests as I look forward to grad school. He is direct in his advice, which has helped me in times when I have felt large uncertainty about what to pursue in the future. When I was still deciding whether or not to pursue grad school, I went to Dr. Constant for some advice. He told me that he had no doubt that I should pursue grad school and pointed to plenty of previous students who took similar classes and research experience who ultimately decided to pursue research as well. 

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

Last year, my undergraduate research was published in Physical Review Materials as a second author, on a paper on using machine learning to predict properties of soft magnetic materials. 

Plans after graduation

I plan to pursue a PhD in materials science and engineering. Specifically, I hope to explore structure-property relationships of electronic materials using high-powered microscopy techniques. For example, by changing the order of only a few atoms in a material, how can we observe and predict changes in the macroscopic behavior of the material? 

A memorable moment of kindness

In the fall semester of my sophomore year, I had been looking for an internship. I was frustrated because, despite solid grades and plenty of interview practice, I lacked the professional experience that companies were looking for. After not hearing back from companies I spoke to, I went to speak to Dr. Pete Collins, Stanley Chair in Interdisciplinary Engineering, after class. I expressed my disappointment and asked if I should sacrifice the time I spend on academics to instead focus on professional development opportunities. Dr. Collins immediately told me that I should never have to sacrifice academics for professional development. He then spent half an hour after class outlining ways I could develop professionally without requiring time in my day that I didn’t have and following his advice, I landed an internship early the next semester. 

Persevering through challenging times

In the beginning of my undergrad, I took several classes that focused on processing of materials, often from a more industrial viewpoint. While I found the content interesting, particularly the history of materials processing, I didn’t see myself wanting to work with processing as a career. Instead, I pivoted towards classes focusing on more fundamental science of materials. Finding my niche inside materials engineering, more related to solid state physics and electronic materials, is what made me certain that I was in the right place. 

Support from Engineering Career Services

Starting my freshman year, I was able to talk to companies in person, learn what they do, and what they look for in interns and employees. It brought many opportunities directly to students, allowing them to have face-to-face conversations with industry professionals. For both my sophomore and junior years, I found my internships through the career fair, which eventually led to a job offer after graduation. 

Your major in your own words

In materials engineering, we study how materials behave (properties) and how we can change them (processing). For example, the steel you might find in the I-beam of a bridge and the steel you find in your kitchen knives may both be mostly iron. However, the requirements of each steel are very different. In one steel, you need durability and fracture toughness, and in the other, you need hardness and edge retention. Materials engineering focuses on how we can tweak composition, processing, etc., to achieve these different properties. In this way, materials engineering is applied to every material we use today, whether it be steel, semiconductors, polymers, etc. 

Making my mark on the world

Materials science and engineering, as the name implies, is a combination of science and engineering. In science, we often look to deepen our understanding of the world. In engineering, we often seek to solve problems (often using ideas we now understand through science). As I enter the world of materials science research, I hope to expand our understanding in specific areas where engineering may be held back. 

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

Looking at my graduating class, I see a wide range of pathways my classmates are pursuing. Being an engineer at Iowa State means that you will have the flexibility to apply yourself almost anywhere. 

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

Iowa State offers an exceptional combination of resources that enables students to succeed no matter which path they choose. If you want to pursue research, Ames has an entire National Lab where you can gain experience as a researcher. If you want to pursue a career in industry, Iowa State has hundreds of industry connections nationwide. On top of all that, you will find a supportive group of faculty who will spend the time guiding you so that you are prepared for your future after college. 

Most inspiring location on campus

I have always enjoyed my time spent inside Ames National Lab. It is a place where new research is constantly being done, and it represents where the future is being created.