Emma Ryan

"The ‘Investigator’ type really fits with my role as I am curious and collects facts to solve a problem. The ‘Campaigner’ type also matches well as I need to be diplomatic and outgoing to convince people that 3D printing can be commercially viable and that the results of my experiments are valid. I have also been the ‘Trainer’ type in my role, as I have overseen Masters projects and mentored work experience students, and I also do a lot of outreach work."

"I research the commercial viability of wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). I create experiments to test the effect of variables on the WAAM process in order to better understand the source of variation and to reduce or control it so that WAAM can be used in industry to make parts.I really enjoy making a difference using the results and information I have found through experiments in order to change how people think about things, and to make the possibility of additive manufacturing for space a reality. Wire manufacturers have changed their process because of my research, and international standards are based on my research. I love building components using additive manufacturing that no one has managed to build before, and knowing that there is a possibility that some of my work could go to space. I was really excited to meet the astronaut Tim Peake through my work! "

"Growing up, my best subject at school was actually English. However, I have always wanted to build spacecraft or to develop our knowledge of space in some way, and so every choice I have made has been another stepping stone along the route to achieve this. I was inspired by four female STEM teachers at my school who normalised women doing science and never made me feel like it was weird for me to like Physics or Maths. They were all really clever and competent and I wanted to be just like them! I went on to study for A-Levels in Maths and Physics and then a BSc in Physics. I then did an Internship at the Royal Observatory, followed by an engineering doctorate in Material Science, based in industry. The fees for my doctorate were covered by my employer and by the university. Once I completed my doctorate, I started work as a research engineer at Reaction Engines, a company who manufacture rocket engines using a new technology, so it seems like my choices have been the right ones!"

"In my spare time, I'm a stand-up comedian! I also enjoy going to pub quizzes and visiting National Trust sites, as well as playing board games, swimming and baking. I also love reading and watching TV, especially Game of Thrones! I really like to travel – Italy and Greece are my favourite places that I've been to. I have also been to Montreal for my job, and had the opportunity to visit China, USA and France.At Lockheed Martin where I work, progress meetings occur every year, and I have found that the door is always open with the directors if you think you deserve a promotion or to progress in some way or to move roles. Once I've finished my doctorate, I have been offered a senior engineering role. In the future, I would love to be in charge of a research lab who want to develop technology for space."

"Day-to-day, my job involves building parts as well as cutting up parts and looking inside them. I also design complex million-pound experiments to look at and measure the surface of wire, and then analyses data and writes up the results. I then create posters and presentations so that I can talk to people about my research. "

"I studied A-Levels in Maths and Physics and then a BSc in Physics. "