Women @ Energy: Christina Wildfire

Christina Wildfire has served as a researcher at NETL since 2016 through the ORISE program.  Currently, she is leading the research for low pressure ammonia synthesis using a microwave reactor with ARPA-E in partnership with WVU, PNNL, and FSU.  She also researches the interactions and mechanisms of materials in a microwave field to aid in materials synthesis/processing and microwave reactions.  Dr. Wildfire’s research interests include: material synthesis, catalysis, microwave reactions, and plasma chemistry.  She has published 24 peer-reviewed journal publications and conference proceedings.  Dr. Wildfire received her BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from Mercer University in Macon, GA and her PhD in Material Science from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. 

I have always liked to know how things worked.  It was like a puzzle to me.  I was especially interested in chemistry during high school and like to examine things on a molecular level.  I started college as a biomedical engineering major but quickly fell in love with material science.  Two key professors Dr. Jack Mahaney and Dr. Richard Kunz at Mercer University encouraged me to choose a research topic and write a dissertation for my master’s degree instead of the more popular option of a course only master’s degree. Through that I learned I could manage my own research project and loved being in the lab.  At WVU, Dr. Edward Sabolsky took me under his wing and taught me about advanced ceramic material.  I learned how to synthesize materials, materials characterization, and important chemistry that has allowed me to be where I am now.  Without these mentors I do not think I would be a research scientist and I am very grateful to them for their encouragement and their confidence in me.  It is something I would like to pass on to other students as a mentor throughout my career.

I work with the Reaction Engineering Team at NETL and we are focused on using different types of energy sources, like microwaves, to improve current chemical conversions or creating new processes for energy.  It is exciting to be part of a new research area and having the potential to change the way we make chemical or make a process more efficient. I am also surrounded by experienced scientist and engineers that help guide me and help me grow as a researcher.

I think it is important for girls and underrepresented groups to see examples of people similar to them in these fields and to be able to talk to them about our journey through school and beyond.  I did not have female science teachers in high school or female engineering professors in college, but I did have tremendous support from those teachers and professors.  I think knowing that you will be a minority in the STEM field is important but to also know that it is ok to be a minority and when you are part of a group, especially in research, your status as a minority really doesn’t matter.  We are able to present a different viewpoint that is valuable.

I would suggests doing as many internships and/or working with research groups to help you decide what type of job you want after college.  Engineering is a very broad degree and you can tailor it with skillsets you learn on a job.  For example, in material science you can work with metals, ceramics, polymers, or composites and each require specialty classes/knowledge and have subcategories within each material class.  By taking internships and speaking with your professors you can get an idea of what you like to work with the best.  I also encourage networking.  Keep in touch with the friends you make in college because they may help you get a job someday.  I worked at NETL as a student and now 5 years later I have a job with the group I studied with in college.  Also, don’t be afraid to try something different with a job.  My degree was mainly focused on ceramics but I took a job in the defense industry working on tank engines.  Even though it wasn’t my specialty I learned a lot on that job about management, manufacturing, and learned that I can be a leader.

I am a mother of 2 kids so most of my time is spent with them, but we like to hike and explore as a family.  I live in the beautiful state of WV which is a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors.