The road less traveled to a scientific career

1. The road less traveled to a scientific career K. Renee Horton, PhD Southeastern conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics 1/12 – 1/15/2012

2. Deviated Path Today I decided to deviate from the path that society created to herd the masses of people who believe that normality is to be a replicated clone of stereotypical images of acceptable patterns of style and manner. I decided to travel to the drummer drumming in my head as I walk down the path that nobody tends and is overgrown with oddly whimsical daises and junipers. This is my path, this is my journey, this is my world, welcome to all I see. Ironically, they are the same things you see, just from a different vantage point, just another view.

3. As I travel the byways that society has barricaded and labeled an alternate route for self satisfaction, personal growth and success. I travel at my own risk, I know there may not be anyone to bail me out if I wander too fast down this untraveled path. As my drummer beats, I march and I know others will soon follow, because the path is no longer untraveled, it’s just not an acceptable path by society to travel. K. Renee Horton

4. Choices I had to make Grad School College Dissertation Advisor Children/ Family Major Funding College New Dissertation Advisor Career

5. My path in a nutshell • Started college at 16 • Got married at 18 • Had my 1st son at 19 • Had my 2nd son at 21 • Divorced my husband after 6 yrs • Had my daughter at 27 • Went back to college in 2000 • Graduated with Bs EE • Attended a HBCU for 1.5 yrs • Intern at National Renewable Energy Lab

6. Cont. • Moved to Alabama with kids and my daughters father in 2005 • Attended my first IUPAP Women in Physics conference in 2005 • Internship @ Goddard Space Flight Center 2006/2007 • Second IUPAP WIP conference in 2008 • Third IUPAP WIP conference in 2011 • Started working for NASA in 2010 • Graduated in August 5, 2012

7. Research along the way • Biomass Research and Development Control Design Engineering • Magnetically Manipulated Quantum Dots (MMQD) • Investigation of Magnetic Properties of Annealed Cobalt Nobel Metal shell Nanoparticles for GMR Sensors • Women Physicist of color achieving at the intersection of race and gender • Synthesis and Characterization of CdSe-Co Core-Shell Quantum Dots and Rods • Anisotropy Graded Media: Extending the superparamagneticlimit • (1st Dissertation topic) • Dissertation: Microhardness, Strength and Strain Field Characterization of Self Reacting Friction Stir Weld and Plug Welds of Dissimilar Aluminum Alloys.

8. Working on my Dissertation • Worked at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Al from May 2010 to Aug 2011 • Worked on the welding process for the external tank of the space shuttle

9. STS 124 Discovery • The flight that delayed my dissertation and graduation • The flight that my research techniques was used for to validate flight safety

10. STS 126 Atlantis • Watching the very last Space Shuttle flight with my daughter at Marshall with over 200 employees who supported the space shuttle mission

11. Graduation • Defense delayed when one of my best friends and sorority sister died from breast cancer • Graduation delayed because of the tornado that hit 4/27/2011 • Listed as the First African American to receive my PhD in Material Science from the University of Alabama

12. Awards and Distinctions • Lockheed Martin 3rd place Engineering Award NASA Student Poster Symposium 2011 • Black Engineer of the Year Award Trailblazer Award 2011 • 3 Group Achievement NASA Awards (August 2010) • NASA Harriet G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship 2008-2011 • Goddard Space Flight Center Graduate Student Research Program (GSRP) Fellowship 2004-2007 • Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) Fellowship 2005-2008 • Community Based Partnership Student initiated outreach award $2000 (2008) • National Alumni Fellow University of Alabama 2008-2009 • Co-PI NSF grant PHY-0824634 for $138,180.00 2008 • Argonne National Laboratory Center for Nanoscale Materials User Proposal • Nominated for the Women of Distinction Career award by the North Alabama Girl Scout Association • Self Published my first Poetry book “Sanctum of my Soul” in May 2010

13. After Graduation • Unemployed • Moved back with my parents • Turned 40 • Started Interviewing • Finally landed a job with the following priorities • Location • Job type • Pay/benefits • Prestige • Ability to grow with company

14. My New Job • Samson Rope Technology • The Strongest name in Rope • Lafayette, La (1 hour from my mother and Godson and 6 hours from my dad and siblings) • R&D Engineer • Only PhD in the building • Only black engineer on staff

15. Rope Construction: The Basics • Twisted ropes: • 3, 4, or 6-strands • Braided: • Single braid • Double braid • Jacketed • 8 or 12 -strands

17. What I learned during this process • How important your network is • Make sure you are in constant contact with people who you feel can advance your career • 2 page CV with important items on top half of first sheet • Make contact with a headhunter or someone who used a head hunter if going into industry • Build your academic contacts now as an undergraduate • Stay in contact with your network it doesn’t have to be everyday

18. Cont. • Enjoy your life along the way because there will be things you have no control over • Set your priorities and decide what will make you happy • The two body problem exists even when both parties are not educated • Black relationships can be difficult during the process • Choose your mates and friends with like priorities, goals and values • Have an outlet • Don’t change who you are for anyone

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