Dr. Sierra Civil's Journey in Nuclear Engineering

Dr. Sierra Civil, a nuclear engineer, shares her journey from aspiring pastry chef to becoming the first black woman to earn a PhD in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan. She discusses her educational path, including her time at MIT, and her research on treaty verification and radio Xenon detectors. Dr. Sierra highlights the challenges she faced as a black woman in a male-dominated field and her contributions to nuclear safety.

What sparked Dr. Sierra Civil's interest in nuclear engineering?

• Her fascination with things we can't see

• Her love for physics

• Her interest in renewable energy

• Her desire to work at a national lab

What career did Dr. Civil initially want to pursue before considering engineering?

• A doctor

• A pastry chef

• A chemist

• A teacher

Which institution did Dr. Civil attend for her undergraduate studies?

• Stanford University

• Harvard University

• California Institute of Technology

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What program influenced Dr. Civil to pursue a PhD?

• Teach for America

• GEM Fellowship

• Fulbright Scholarship

• Rhodes Scholarship

What was Dr. Civil's ultimate goal in pursuing a PhD?

• To work in the private sector

• To combine teaching, engineering, and mentorship

• To start her own company

• To become a renowned scientist

What was the focus of Dr. Civil's research at the University of Michigan?

• Nuclear fusion

• Radioactive waste management

• Nuclear reactor design

• Treaty verification

What specific technology did Dr. Civil work on improving during her research?

• Nuclear reactors

• Radio Xenon detectors

• Nuclear propulsion systems

• Radiation shielding

What treaty was Dr. Civil's research aimed at verifying?

• START Treaty

• Non-Proliferation Treaty

• INF Treaty

• Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

What was Dr. Civil's major contribution during her PhD research?

• Improving radiation detectors for treaty verification

• Developing a new type of nuclear reactor

• Designing a space propulsion system

• Creating a new chemical compound

What was one of the major challenges Dr. Civil faced during her PhD?

• Balancing work and family life

• Lack of funding

• Being a black woman in a male-dominated field

• Limited access to research facilities