From Mechanical to Materials: Nethra Vasudevan’s Journey to MSE Excellence
For Nethra Vasudevan, a love for biology and engineering led her on an unexpected but rewarding journey to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at NC State. Originally a Mechanical Engineering major, Nethra soon realized her passion for biological sciences and sought a way to integrate the two fields. It wasn’t until she took MSE 200 that everything clicked.
“I fell in love with the topic,” she recalls. “Switching to the biomaterials concentration in MSE gave me the perfect balance between my interest in engineering and my passion for biology.” Now pursuing minors in both Biological Sciences and Science, Technology, and Society (STS), Nethra has crafted an interdisciplinary academic experience that aligns perfectly with her interests.
Nethra has thrived in the MSE department, engaging in coursework, research, and extracurricular leadership. One standout class for her was Biomaterials with Dr. Yara Yingling.
“When I picked the biomaterials concentration, it was because it had ‘bio’ in the name,” Nethra admits. “But through Dr. Yingling’s class, I learned just how diverse biomaterials are: from drug delivery systems to designing materials for prosthetic devices.”
Dr. Yingling’s engaging teaching style and humor made the class even more enjoyable, and a final project allowed Nethra to explore topics on her own, deepening her understanding of the subject.
“When I picked the biomaterials concentration, it was because it had ‘bio’ in the name. But through Dr. Yingling’s class, I learned just how diverse biomaterials are: from drug delivery systems to designing materials for prosthetic devices.”
Nethra Vasudevan ’25
She also credits her advisor, Hillary Stone, for making her transition to MSE seamless. “Hillary helped me schedule my classes so I could still graduate on time. She’s been an invaluable mentor and an amazing person to chat with.”
Beyond the classroom, Nethra has made significant strides in research. She works in Professor LaBean’s lab, focusing on conductive magnetic microparticles: specifically, coating nickel particles with gold to form conductive microwires. Her research led her to an unexpected but exciting achievement: winning the Undergraduate Image Contest in the MSE department.
“I spend a lot of time imaging my samples with an SEM to check if the gold coating is successful,” she explains. “On a whim, I submitted an image to the competition and winning it was really special. It was a great way to share my research and hard work.”
While Nethra’s post-graduation plans remain open-ended, her experience in MSE has prepared her for a future in various industries. Through internships at Burt’s Bees as a process engineer and at Collins Aerospace in materials engineering, she’s seen firsthand how adaptable an MSE degree can be.
“You can go into any field and incorporate your interests,” she says. “That versatility is what makes this field so special.”
Outside of academics, Nethra has been an active leader on campus. She has served as an EMT for club sports, a Student Government representative, and Co-President of Material Advantage, where she helped rebuild the club and boost member engagement. She was also part of the Atomic Pack team that secured second place in their first-ever run at the Materials Bowl at TMS.
Additionally, she is the Vice President of TBC at NC State, the campus extension of The Blood Connection. This organization promotes blood donation drives and educates students about phlebotomy and related topics.
As she reflects on her time at NC State, Nethra says her favorite thing about MSE is its boundless opportunities.
“There’s so much variety in what you can do with this degree,” she says. “The field is constantly evolving, and I love that I can take my skills in so many different directions.”
From an unexpected switch to MSE to becoming an award-winning researcher and campus leader, Nethra Vasudevan’s journey is a testament to following your passions and embracing new opportunities.
