Illinois State University is set to welcome its first cohort of students in the new College of Engineering this fall. As the college prepares to educate the next generation of engineers, Dr. Nesrin Ozalp, the founding chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, shares her excitement for this significant addition to Illinois State’s academic offerings. Ozalp joins Redbird Buzz to look ahead at what students can expect from the College of Engineering and how her own career successes can open up opportunities for future Redbirds.

Ozalp brings a research background in clean energy to her role as department chair. She plans to involve engineering students in her research on campus and provide them with hands-on mechanical engineering experience. She looks forward to working with undergraduates to make scientific advancements in clean energy, space exploration, robotics, artificial intelligence, and more.

Tune into this episode to hear about Ozalp’s personal journey to finding her true passion in mechanical engineering, her experiences as a woman in a field dominated by men, and how art and creativity play a vital role in her work and research.

Redbird Buzz is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Transcripts of each episode are available online at Alumni.IllinoisState.edu/Podcast.