Mother and Immigrant Reclaims Research Passion at Clemson
Lavanya Muthusamy, an Indian immigrant and mother, has successfully rediscovered her passion for research while pursuing a Ph.D. at Clemson University. Her journey, which began in Tamil Nadu, India, has been marked by numerous challenges, including relocating to the United States and navigating motherhood, yet it has led her to significant academic achievements in the field of electrical engineering.
Muthusamy grew up in a family that valued education. As the third of six children, she learned the importance of perseverance from her parents, particularly her father, who worked as an electrician. This early exposure to electronics inspired her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering, followed by a master’s in embedded systems technology from Anna University in 2009 and 2014, respectively.
After moving to the United States in 2014, Muthusamy found herself at a crossroads. Faced with a new environment and the responsibility of caring for her young daughter, who needed early speech support, she put her academic ambitions on hold. “But something in me refused to give up,” she recalls, highlighting her determination to stay engaged in her field.
In 2019, Muthusamy began volunteering at Clemson’s Nanoscale and Sensors Lab. This decision was pivotal, allowing her to connect with a community of researchers who shared her interests. Faculty members recognized her potential and encouraged her to apply to the Ph.D. program. With their support, she enrolled in the doctor of electrical engineering program in 2020 when her daughter was six years old.
Starting her Ph.D. during the global pandemic presented unique challenges. “Every day, I drove two hours to the lab. There were nights without sleep, balancing assignments, research deadlines, caregiving, and journal writing,” she explains. The experience was both exhausting and transformative. “Clemson became a place of rediscovery, transformation, and growth,” she adds.
Muthusamy’s academic performance has been impressive. While still a doctoral candidate, she published a dozen peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, including Materials and Design and ACS Photonics. She has also presented her research at five international conferences, showcasing her commitment to advancing her field.
Goutam Koley, the Samuel R. Rhodes Professor in the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, praised her journey, stating, “She displayed a rare combination of academic merit, determination to succeed, and an even temperament to meet and overcome challenges.” He believes her accomplishments are a testament to her capabilities.
Muthusamy’s ambition has led her to a promising career opportunity. She was offered an internship and subsequently a full-time position as a process development engineer at Texas Instruments nearly a year before graduation. In this role, she focuses on developing and integrating advanced semiconductor devices and technologies.
Looking ahead, Muthusamy aims to leverage her research skills and knowledge to address real-world challenges in the semiconductor industry. She is particularly passionate about mentoring young engineers, especially women in STEM and international students facing similar challenges. “I hope my story resonates with others, especially women, mothers, and immigrants in STEM,” she states. “I am living proof that their dreams can coexist with their responsibilities.”
Muthusamy’s journey at Clemson exemplifies resilience and determination, showcasing how academic pursuits can flourish even in the face of adversity. As she prepares to graduate, her story serves as an inspiration for many, illustrating that with perseverance, one can reclaim their passion and achieve their goals.
