As part of an ongoing effort to recognize women leaders across the College of Engineering, we’re sharing Q&As with faculty who are shaping the future of the field. These leaders are transforming engineering culture, mentoring the next generation and using their expertise to make a lasting impact.
In this edition, we’re highlighting Lily Laiho, associate dean for faculty affairs and infrastructure and a professor in biomedical engineering.
How has your outlook on the future been enhanced by your engineering experience?
One of the things about being in this position at Cal Poly is watching the development of all the new devices, solutions and products out there. Being able to see that gets me excited because you can see many people working toward a better future.
Specifically in biomedical engineering, you can see how the different things we work on can improve people’s quality of life and outlook as we improve in terms of disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
How have you used your engineering experience to enhance the lives of others?
I spend a lot of time talking to students. They often come to me with questions about the future, and I advise them on classes, jobs, internships, or anything they need my input on. I enjoy helping students find the right path specifically for each one of them.
What possibilities can engineering bring to improve our community?
I’m the director of the TECHE Lab and the faculty adviser to the EMPOWER Student Association on campus. The TECHE Lab is used to address individual and societal needs, and the EMPOWER club focuses on improving daily life for everyone. Both organizations focus on creating technology to help people in the community. I like to involve myself in those avenues on campus because being able to use engineering to help people is what continues to attract me to the field, specifically biomedical engineering, where you can see a direct impact on people’s lives.
How do you work to inspire the next generation of engineers?
A lot of it is my passion for engineering. I get excited about a lot of things, and I hope I share that excitement with others and inspire them through classes or through the projects they work on, or even just by sitting and having conversations with students.
