Get to Know SWE-MN - May 2010

FEATURING: Senja Lopac

I was introduced to SWE in 2008, directly after finishing graduate school and moving back to the Twin Cities area. Due to a small female engineering population, my university only had a “Women in Engineering and Science” program, so I was looking forward to meeting others from every engineering discipline and background. Being a former Girl Scout, I was also looking forward to assisting with Girl Scout Patch Day, and encouraging younger girls to consider engineering as a future career path. I had considered the engineering path since I was in eighth grade, thanks in part to a statewide math competition being sponsored by an engineering organization, and now realize how my decision would have been positively impacted by having a female engineering role model to look up to. I currently serve as SWE-MN’s webmaster and member of the scholarship committee.

I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2005. In addition to my studies, I participated in an internship, a co-op, and an undergraduate research program. I discovered I really enjoyed the research side of engineering, and decided to head to graduate school. I spent two years attaining my master’s degree in chemical engineering from Iowa State University in 2008. My thesis involved utilizing biodegradable polyanhydrides microspheres as drug delivery mechanisms. My project allowed me to step over to the “other side” and experience the scientist’s world: synthesizing polymers, producing microspheres, culturing cells, in-vivo testing on mice, and learning various laboratory techniques.

I am currently employed at Beckman Coulter as a Development Scientist in Immunoassay R&D. Immunoassays are biochemical tests used to detect and measure the amount of a substance in a biological liquid, such as serum or urine. Beckman Coulter manufactures both immunoassay instrumentation and test kits at our Chaska site. My last project was working in product development on a novel chemistry detection method for implementation on a new line of immunoassay analyzers. I recently started on a new project involving test method validations on our manufacturing line.

I’m originally from Chisholm, MN; being from the Iron Range practically requires one to learn the sport of curling. I’ve been curling since I was 14, and recently became reacquainted with the sport after a few years off for graduate studies. I curl in a few leagues out of the St. Paul club, and spend most of my weekend bonspieling (curling tournaments); I even had the opportunity to curl in two national events, including one this past December in Seattle. I also enjoy exploring the Twin Cities, spending weekends at my cabin, attending concerts, and working on genealogy.

Please go to the SWE-MN website to see more of our sections events and opportunities!