Cristina Riso (she/her/hers) is a Research Fellow in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan. She received her PhD in Aeronautical and Space Engineering in 2018 from Sapienza University of Rome. Her research interests are centered on the modeling of fluid-structural systems, with a focus on future aircraft designs. If you would like to connect with Cristina, follow her on Twitter @Cristina_Riso!
- Where do you call home? Italy 🇮🇹
- What is a quote that you live by? “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” — Albert Einstein
- What do you see yourself doing in the future? Faculty at a research-intensive institution
- If you could switch fields/careers, what field/career would you want to work in/have?* I’m happy where I am.
- What frustrates you the most about academia? Hidden rules of academic life one has to figure out along the way
- What are three things you can’t live without?* Exercising, travelling, learning
- What message do you hope your research conveys to the public? Aerospace engineering is an exciting field where to be!
- Who do you do this for? All the people who are discouraged from pursuing a STEM degree because of unfair stereotypes on gender/race/social background etc.
- What is your proudest moment (so far)?* Defending my Ph.D.
- What is one piece of advice you would give to other first-gen students? You belong in higher education, and don’t pay attention to who says otherwise.
*borrowed from the 46 Questions blog!
A First-Gen's Guide to Grad School: How to Get in, Survive, and Thrive 