Science Starts Here: Kathleen Melanie Amm
Kathleen Melanie Amm.Photo: Ricki D. Shapiro
Name
Kathleen Melanie Amm.
Current position
Manager, Electromagnetics and Superconductivity Lab,
Imaging Technologies, GE Global Research.
Time at the Mag Lab
1994 to 1997.
Role at the Mag Lab
Graduate research assistant pursuing a Ph.D. in physics.
Current work
Kathleen manages a team of engineers and scientists to develop innovative superconducting and electromagnetic technologies for GE. She works closely with managers in multiple GE businesses, such as Healthcare, Aviation and Energy, to identify and develop technologies that are key to their future growth. Her team also works with government agencies and external collaborators.
In her own words
“My experience at the (Magnet Lab) prepared me very well for working in a dynamic, global research environment. I learned to work in a team environment to build up a new research lab. With researchers constantly visiting this great facility from around the world, seminars were given every week by the best researchers in the world in magnet technology.
The Magnet Lab is a wonderful environment for nurturing students in high magnetic field research.
“The group that I worked in conducted leading-edge research in high temperature superconductors. I learned how to operate and develop advanced research devices and materials, and was mentored by and worked every day with researchers from around the world.
“As a member of the Magnet Lab, I was able to develop ideas and winning research proposals and was given the opportunity to be active in the broader research community by publishing and attending conferences. I also learned how to be a mentor myself, working with and mentoring several undergraduate students in the laboratory.
“The Magnet Lab is a wonderful environment for nurturing students in high magnetic field research.”
How mentors make a difference
"I was very fortunate to have several mentors during my time at the (Magnet Lab). Dr. Justin Schwartz encouraged me to excel as a researcher in superconductivity by teaching me the skills that are critical to success as a scientist. He helped me develop critical negotiation skills, taught me how to write a successful grant proposal, and how to clearly present my results at conferences. The postdocs that I worked with while at the lab were also excellent mentors who brought a diverse and global research perspective to my graduate research."
