By Sarah Stone<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When something goes wrong, Em Lichtenberger is at their best. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy department is what I like to consider the emergency room of the technical side of the company,\u201d Lichtenberger, who works as a scientist III for <\/span>Parker Lord<\/span><\/a>, says. \u201cIf something goes wrong with any of our products along the process, whether it’s in the lab when they’re researching, or even if it’s over at a customer\u2019s facility, the members of my team are usually the first people that will see it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Parker Lord is an internationally recognized technology and manufacturing powerhouse, with employees in more than 25 countries. They play a big role in the expanding electric vehicle market; the materials they create are used with those cars\u2019 batteries for thermal management. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lichtenberger\u2019s efforts minimize costs and keep production moving. They say the knowledge they gained from two degrees from the Wilson College of Textiles makes this possible. In their role overseeing analytical sciences, Lichtenberger says their job is best broken down into four types of day-to-day responsibilities: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s this last responsibility that Lichtenberger finds most exciting. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAny time an analysis goes well, or a new method that I’ve planned with my team, anytime that works out \u2013 those are the best moments ever,\u201d Lichtenberger says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n As they began their college search, Lichtenberger knew they wanted to pursue chemistry. The smaller class sizes and specification in textiles made the idea of a degree in chemistry seem less theoretical. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lichtenberger didn\u2019t develop a passion for research until their senior year at the Wilson College. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOriginally, research terrified me. The idea of finding a novel concept just seemed so difficult to me,\u201d they remember thinking. \u201cBut that was just because I didn’t understand the process.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, nearing graduation without a solid idea of what they wanted to do next inspired Lichtenberger to face their fears. They enrolled in PCC 490, an independent study research course. Their experience researching with <\/span>Associate Professor Nelson Vinueza<\/span><\/a> made them realize that a doctoral degree would be the perfect next step. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n True crime television has always fascinated Lichtenberger, so it\u2019s no surprise that they leveraged their dissertation to make new discoveries in forensic science. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the direction of Vinueza, Lichtenberger used swabs and microliter volumes of different solvents to investigate when drugs of abuse could be detected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n These small measurements and samples are key in the world of forensics. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne of the most challenging aspects of forensic science is that investigators usually have only a small amount of evidence,\u201d Lichtenberger explains. \u201cSo one of the things Dr. Vinueza and I were trying to capitalize on was, if you have a small amount of evidence, how can you get as much information as possible from it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaving academia for the corporate world, Lichtenberger says they were most concerned about how they would factor in as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe chemistry industry itself is, I would say, one of the ones that are lagging with some of the goals of diversity, equity and inclusion,\u201d they say. \u201cThere’s a stigma of, \u2018I don’t see myself out there, so I don’t know if I can have a career in this field.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Lichtenberger says they\u2019ve found community and acceptance at Parker Lord through support from the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve learned to embrace myself in the workplace. It’s definitely changed my mindset a lot about the corporate world. I used to think it was unchangeable, but now I can see that it can definitely change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n They encourage current students to participate in any available career fairs and networking opportunities to make connections and learn about the workplace culture for themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou get to interact with them. You get to hear about the company from the perspective of current employees,\u201d they say. \u201cAn industry panel at NC State is how I got all the information about Parker Lord and is pretty much how I landed the job.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n By Sarah Stone<\/p>\n\n\n\n When something goes wrong, Em Lichtenberger is at their best. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy department is what I like to consider the emergency room of the technical side of the company,\u201d Lichtenberger, who works as a scientist III for <\/span>Parker Lord<\/span><\/a>, says. \u201cIf something goes wrong with any of our products along the process, whether it's in the lab when they're researching, or even if it's over at a customer\u2019s facility, the members of my team are usually the first people that will see it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Parker Lord is an internationally recognized technology and manufacturing powerhouse, with employees in more than 25 countries. They play a big role in the expanding electric vehicle market; the materials they create are used with those cars\u2019 batteries for thermal management. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lichtenberger\u2019s efforts minimize costs and keep production moving. They say the knowledge they gained from two degrees from the Wilson College of Textiles makes this possible. In their role overseeing analytical sciences, Lichtenberger says their job is best broken down into four types of day-to-day responsibilities: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can probably think of how every course at some point helps me in this job,\u201d Lichtenberger, who holds both a <\/span>Bachelor of Science in Polymer and Color Chemistry<\/span><\/a> (PCC) and a <\/span>Ph.D. in Fiber and Polymer Science<\/span><\/a> (FPS), says. \u201cI actually still have my PCC notes at my desk that I still use.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nA delayed passion for research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Investigating crimes with chemistry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Inclusion in the corporate world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can probably think of how every course at some point helps me in this job,\u201d Lichtenberger, who holds both a <\/span>Bachelor of Science in Polymer and Color Chemistry<\/span><\/a> (PCC) and a <\/span>Ph.D. in Fiber and Polymer Science<\/span><\/a> (FPS), says. \u201cI actually still have my PCC notes at my desk that I still use.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n