Carineh Ghafafian
Quelle: BAM
My name is Carineh Ghafafian and I am a PhD candidate in Polymer Matrix Composites division. My research focuses on the effects of various repair variables on the mechanical behavior and design life of wind turbine rotor blades. I enjoy my daily work because it includes a variety of activities: designing and producing composite specimens with intricate structures across numerous length scales, designing and executing complex experiments with customized structural health monitoring techniques, and analyzing large amounts of data in creative and effective ways to communicate to the public about the interesting research results.
My fascination with the mechanics of materials began at the age of 14 when I first learned and truly understood that diamond and graphite’s only material difference is the structural arrangement of their pure carbon atoms. Today, I find myself driven by this exact same wonder at the influence of microstructural roots on the properties of materials. After an interdisciplinary journey during my studies, I chose to pursue my doctoral research with Division 5.3 at the BAM with a project that combines my interest in the mechanics of materials with an application promoting a sustainable future with renewable energies.
The biggest challenges I have faced to-date have come from the questions I have received from my surroundings, asking how I feel about being a minority female in the male-dominated field of mechanical and materials engineering. This is something I never even paid attention to until I was confronted with these questions. My advice to any aspiring young scientists: do not let stereotypes or generalizations steer you away from your passion, and continue pursuing your dreams with determination. With perseverance, a bit of patience, and forgiveness, there is nothing you cannot achieve!
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