Global Ambassador: Valeria Andreoli

Valeria graduated from Purdue with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Valeria worked on aircraft engines in order to make them more efficient and safe. The aim of her work was to build better engines through the development of new concepts for the overall system and the optimization of single components.

Read more about Valeria's experience in graduate school below. Please note: Valeria provided these answers while she was still a graduate student at Purdue.

Ambassador Q & A (Questions and Answers)

Valeria Andreoli

Why did you choose Purdue?

Purdue has a great reputation; it's among the best universities in the world in the engineering field. Besides that, here there is one of the largest populations of international students, so I knew it was going to be an exceptionally welcoming environment.

Career goal?

I would like to teach and to do research, so I may look for a faculty position.

Favorite fact about Purdue?

Purdue is called the "cradle of astronauts" because it has produced 23 astronauts. More than 1/3 of all the space missions had a Purdue alumnus on board!

Two words that best describe your work?

Challenging and rewarding

If you have free time, how do you choose to spend it?

I love cooking or going out in general. Purdue offers a large variety of options for the nightlife like restaurant, bars... I even go to the gym. I have never been a sport kind of person, but here the gym is so amazing that I have to go!

What apps, software, or tools can’t you live without?

TeamViewer to use my lab computer from home and from everywhere on campus.

What’s your workspace setup like?

I normally work at my desk with liters of coffee, laptop/computer and headphones

What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?

I am learning to stop postponing the difficult tasks. What normally makes me lose time is avoiding things that I don't want to do and, meanwhile, doing some fake unproductive "multitasking."

What’s your favorite to-do list manager?

Normally Outlook, but when I feel the need to clear my mind, I go back to paper, post-its and colors!

What gadget can’t you live without?

My headphones, because I need music all the time!

What do you listen to while you work?

I guess it depends on the mood and what I have to do. I listen to rock music when I program, something softer when I have to write.... sometimes even political talk shows.

I’d love to see _________ answer these same questions.

Amelia Earhart

What are you currently reading, or what is the last thing you read (aside from academic reading)?

"Surely you're joking Mr. Feynman" (and Game of Thrones!)

How do you recharge physically and/or mentally?

I love to travel, so I try to do it whenever I have the chance. Even though it can be tiring, this normally recharges me physically and mentally.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

That I should not always try to make everybody happy.

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