December 01, 2019
Source: ASM International

This profile series introduces leading materials scientists from around the world who happen to be females. Here we speak with Cindy Waters,senior science technology manager for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials, Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock in West Bethesda, Md.

What is your engineering background?I earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in material science and engineering from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. My M.S. project, funded by the DOE’s Savannah River Labs, focused on impact behavior degradation by hydrogen embrittlement of stainless steels. I began my engineering career in research labs at the University of South Carolina mechanical engineering department where I led fracture mechanics projects. My Ph.D. was completed in 2004. I was a tenured professor of mechanical engineering studying metal based additive manufacturing before joining my current organization.

What part of your job do you like most?Working with other motivated and educated people who want to make a difference through engineering. I recently transitioned from being a tenured faculty member into my naval research position, and sharing knowledge is still gratifying. I think less now about fundamental research and more about transitioning research into the fleet. I continue to think materials engineering is amazing and love opportunities to teach other engineers and non-technical people how materials science affects the products in their lives.

What attracted you to engineering?I grew up on a farm, was active in the 4-H Club, and was raised to believe I could do anything, whether it was baling hay, assisting in birthing a lamb, or helping Dad on the roof. I grew up problem solving and doing! I have since learned that engineers are the ones who make the dream a reality. Engineers are “doers.” In high school, I enjoyed my science and math classes and was good at it. Before college, a friend’s father offered me a summer job working in metallurgy labs and I was hooked.

What are you working on now?I am working to develop, promote, coordinate, and oversee materials and manufacturing-related research and development planning and execution across the Navy enterprise. We are bringing additive manufacturing to sailors, Marines, and onto ships and submarines, from design to printing replacement parts.

Finish this sentence: Women in materials engineering are…diverse, creative, intelligent, indispensable, and too few!

Favorite motto or quote?One of my children informed me that most other families they know do not get very involved with societal issues or problems in the community but that “our family are doers, not just complainers.” As a family, we modeled the mantra “Think globally, act locally” and this ties in with a favorite quote from Coach John Wooden, “Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating.”

Last book read?Ken Follett’s “Century Trilogy” series.

Do you know someone who should be featured in an upcoming Women in Engineering profile? Contact Vicki Burt atvicki.burt@asminternational.org