Meet Victoria Padilla, a UTRGV Unsung Hero
Text by Priscilla Ramirez, student staff writer
Photos by Silver Salas, student staff photographer:
https://utrgv.news/VictoriaPadilla
Machines hum and whir in harmony at the polymer lab where Dr. Victoria Padilla works. Under the gleam of fluorescent lights, she notes and documents every change in the sensitive apparatus, ensuring their reliability for all the engineering students using them.
“In the laboratories, there is always something so colorful and interesting to take care of. For me, it’s great to have the opportunity to learn something new every day,” she says.
Padilla is stalwart in her work, fresh out of her doctorate program and eager to put her education to good use. She is surrounded by bright minds and has an exciting schedule every day, and her own work ethic enriches the engineering program at UTRGV.
“It’s a blessing to have a chance to learn and to share knowledge with other people who are as passionate as I am about moving forward, while helping to facilitate their learning,” she says.
NAME: Victoria Padilla, PhD
JOB TITLE: Engineering Technician III
CAMPUS: Edinburg
DEPARTMENT: Mechanical Engineering
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT UTRGV?
Within the College of Science and Engineering and in particular at the Nanotechnology Center of Excellence, I am in charge of providing a functional and safe laboratory environment to develop high-tech research and education activities.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?
A little over a year.
WITH THE SOCIAL CHANGES DUE TO COVID-19, DESCRIBE YOUR AVERAGE DAY IN THESE TIMES:
In these days of social confinement and restricted access to my work area, my activities had to be redirected in part to the academic and research area. These times I have spent most of the day working in front of the computer doing data analysis, development of user manuals for high-tech equipment, purchasing of lab materials, inventory, trainings, meetings with the department and with my supervisor, writing technical reports, monitor activities assigned to students under my supervision, and two days a week conducting short visits to the labs to monitor instrumentation.
I also participated in the V-Learn & Teach activity with the PREM research work group directed by Dr. Karen Lozano, my supervisor. She designed this activity to keep our UG and MS students active, positive, and focused during this time. About 50 students participated, the goal was, for each one of them, to learn more about the basic science of their research projects and creatively explain it through a video. I provided constructive criticism to each video and participated in the Friday afternoon meetings. The results of this activity were amazing and from all points of view it was an enriching experience for me and the team.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE MAINTAINING YOUR ROLE UNDER COVID-19?
The first two weeks were the most challenging; I had to adapt to work all day in front of the computer, compared to my “normal” working days which are always very dynamic. Additionally, some activities had to be redirected in order to focus the effort towards areas that were feasible to develop from home. However, I have to confess that I also enjoyed my work during this period of confinement, trying to keep our students productive it was a challenge but rewarding. Also developed procedures to go back and now partially have reactivated the laboratory activities.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
Contributing to the academic success of our students. Their research experience has proven to be a great learning experience and important asset to their resume (and therefore professional career). I feel so proud to be part of their academic experience by helping them generate meaningful knowledge and/or skills in the lab.
IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU HELPING YOUR DEPARTMENT MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS?
Following the officially implemented security measures, maintaining continuous communication, and sharing ideas that can help prevent the spread of the virus.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY, OR STORY, ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE?
We often have visits from schools and institutions in our labs. Dr. Lozano, my supervisor, organizes different activities for these visits, which I have enjoyed greatly. One in particular was a motivational presentation she did for a group of McAllen High School students. I loved seeing how, in a smart and simple way, you can capture the attention of a group of students and motivate them to study engineering careers and to be future innovators.
TELL US SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU:
I recently got a PhD degree in Polymer Technology.
WHAT ARE SOME ENCOURAGING WORDS YOU COULD SHARE WITH YOUR PEERS ON OVERCOMING THE PANDEMIC?
Stay positive, creative and open to the changes that the circumstances of life impose on us, keep on moving forward with responsibility and keep sowing seeds of optimism to everyone around you.
