Carrie Culp is a QESST REU success story and exemplifies how expanding authentic research opportunities to students from a diversity of backgrounds can impact lives. Carrie, a single mother of three kids, was frustrated after many years of working a minimally skilled, low paying job. Seeking to transform her life, she returned to college and enrolled in a local community college. Her inquisitive nature to try to figure out how things work led her to transfer to ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering where she participated in the first QESST REU program at ASU in 2012.

Working on the Student-Led Pilot Line at ASU as part of the REU, Carrie had access to state-of-the-art facilities to gain experience directly relevant to industry. As part of the REU program, students are guided through the steps required to bring new ideas to the market and given the opportunity to demonstrate the commercial impact and relevance of their ideas.

During her senior year at ASU, Carrie used knowledge from the REU program to design a solar-powered dialysis machine as part of a QESST-led Engineering Capstone Project. She earned her bachelors and master’s degrees in electrical engineering through an accelerated program and upon graduation began a new career in New Orleans working for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator helping manage the country’s power.

Good luck in the Big Easy, Carrie!