Dr. Nadya Zyaykina has been a valued part of EEE for over 10 years while serving as Lab Manager. Recently, she has taken on a dual role, continuing as part-time Lab Manager while also stepping into the position of Research Assistant Professor.

Dr. Zyaykina aims to establish impactful research programs at EEE within the industrial sustainability field. Focusing on bioenergy and bioproduct technology development, as well as systems and process engineering, she hopes to find new ways to reduce industrial footprints.

“I have been always interested in process optimization and recuperation of secondary industrial materials,” she shares.

Before joining Purdue University in 2014, Dr. Zyaykina worked as an R&D engineer for one of the world leaders in engineering and supply of plants and equipment for the Oils & Fats industries and the Oleochemical & Biodiesel industries. In that function she visited industrial biodiesel production plants across Europe, Asia, and the US providing the onsite support.

“Being an engineer allowed me to travel the world. Working closely with local engineers I was fortunate to get a deep insight into multiple cultures. The level of human interaction is quite different when engineers discuss possible solutions during formal meetings, and when we work during night shifts over an immediate solution. I had the marvelous opportunity to see people open up under the stress of the moment. That was the real cultural experience,” she says.

Despite her current impressive career, Dr. Zyaykina started where all engineers do: as a student.

“During my senior year, I struggled with my first engineering design project. At my university at that time the work was done individually, not in teams. I re-calculated the assigned part of the P&ID over and over again; back then, it felt as a never-ending nightmare. When it all finally clicked in place, the satisfaction was indescribable.”

Integrated projects and involved research require keen attention to detail and perseverance. Dr. Zyaykina suggests these qualities are essential for any engineer. She also offers some advice for aspiring engineers:

“When considering engineering remember this is a very multi-facet multidisciplinary profession. Do not let the first impressions from your “Intro to Engineering” in a High School to mislead you that what all engineers primarily do is to create technical drawings using some software tools. Engineering is so much broader: if your vocation lays within STEM, you’ll surely find that bit of engineering that goes along with your purpose and interests. Engineering is a very far from being tedious, repetitive and routine; it can bring you a great variety of enriching and memorable experiences.”

EEE is excited to have Dr. Zyaykina in her new role, where she will continue her research and innovation in the labs, while also inspiring and mentoring students.