AIChE presents the most recent post in this series featuring LGBTQ+ engineers and their allies as part of an ongoing effort to share stories of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Other related efforts include a variety of LGBTQ+ programs and events at the 2022 Annual Meeting and ASC. These programs and events were all supported by the AIChE Foundation’s Doing a World of Good Campaign.
In this installment of our series, we interviewed Alyssa Grube, who shared their story as a graduate research and teaching assistant at the PSE Bavarian Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Where did you complete your chemical engineering education?
I am currently in the process of completing my chemical engineering education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
How many years have you been a member of AIChE?
I have been an AIChE member for one year.
Tell us a bit about your job and your job responsibilities. What’s a typical day at work?
I am a graduate research and teaching assistant working for Dr. Bavarian at PSE Bavarian Lab. My dissertation is on conductive energy storing textiles. I serve as our lab safety officer and outreach representative. A day at work depends on my research; sometimes I am synthesizing conductive material, other times I am fabricating electronic devices, and other days I am testing what I have made.
As our safety officer, I am responsible for implementing our safety procedures in lab and training new lab members on those safety protocols. As our outreach representative, I am also responsible for the upkeep of our website and assisting at outreach activities.
I think the first problem is our visibility; a person needs to actively be out in order to be visible, but being out carries its own risks that are unique to each individual.
Tell us a bit about your experience as an out LGBTQ+ professional working in engineering.
I have personally had a positive experience with coming out to my PI as it’s resulted in a lot of outreach activities for our lab.
What are the most important issues that LGBTQ+ engineers deal with in the workplace today?
I think the first problem is our visibility; a person needs to actively be out in order to be visible, but being out carries its own risks that are unique to each individual. Another factor is misunderstanding and safety; a lot of cultural shifts have happened fairly rapidly and some people are against these changes, which can result in hostile work environments.
How can people help foster a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ chemical engineers?
One way that allies on every level can help foster a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ chemical engineers is through self-education. There are so many content creators making websites, videos, and writing articles on everything under the LGBTQ+ umbrella to the extent that pretty much any basic or general question can be answered somewhere online.
Another way is to increase their own visibility as allies by establishing their work or office as a safe zone for everyone. They can also try to showcase their LGBTQ+ employees if that is possible, but that could be tricky in some cases. When it comes to an individual’s “out” status, sometimes an LGBTQ+ chemical engineer cannot increase their visibility or have it increased for personal safety reasons.
Alyssa standing in front of the Dream Garden Mosaic in Philadelphia for the 2022 MXene Conference
Does your organization do anything to foster inclusivity for LGBTQ+ people?
We have arranged for LGBTQ+ educational presentations from our university’s LGBTQ+ department for our lab. Our PI, Dr. Bavarian, was able to get support from our department to open up the presentation so that anyone in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (CHME) could attend if they felt inclined to do so.
Do you have any suggestions of what out LGBTQ+ chemical engineers can do to help make their professional climate more safe, welcoming, and inclusive for diverse engineers?
If an individual does not have personal or safety concerns, increasing their own visibility will go a long way for new professionals as well as college freshman, who one day will themselves become new professionals in chemical engineering.
Alyssa presenting on their work in wool textile-based supercapacitors at the 2022 AIChE Annual Meeting
Tell us a bit about your personal life.
I have a boyfriend named Eric who has a Doctorate of Musical Arts. I also have a toy Australian Shepherd named Disco who is my emotional support animal (ESA). I like to knit or sew a lot of my own clothes and I’m working on making everything in my wardrobe myself instead of buying clothing. I also like learning different languages; I’m currently learning Spanish with the goal of reading research papers on my dissertation topic in Spanish. Eric and I are also learning German together. We also both like playing video games. Usually I knit, sew, or play with Disco while he plays a video game or puts on a movie and acts as a commentator while I am working.
Are there any LGBTQ+ inspirations, role models, or moments in history that are important to you?
I'm inspired by Nikola Tesla and Alan Turing. They both were scientists ahead of their time and it feels like my research is the same way.
Do you have a story about an effective or inspirational professional ally you’d like to share?
My PI, Dr. Bavarian, is an effective and inspirational ally because she leads by example, advocates for her students, is an excellent teacher, and is working with me on outreach into the LGBTQ+ community.
What’s your dream getaway?
My dream getaway would be London or Greece.
Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ icon?
Janelle Monae or Ke$ha are my favorite LGBTQ+ icons.
Join AIChE’s LGBTQ+ & Allies Online Community
This community is open to professional AIChE members who are LGBTQ+ and allies. Topics of discussion will include the ongoing development of LGBTQ+ initiatives at AIChE, plus issues concerning, and opportunities for, LGBTQ+ chemical engineering professionals.
Learn more about the community.
This initiative is supported by the AIChE Foundation's Doing a World of Good Campaign.
AIChE Foundation – All for Good Campaign
Learn more about AIChE’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives.
Interested in helping?
Are you an LGBTQ+ chemical engineer and AIChE member interested in sharing your story to help create awareness around diversity and inclusion? Are you an LGBTQ+ ally interested in helping with diversity and inclusion efforts? Send us a note at chenected@aiche.org with the subject “Diversity and Inclusion.”