'Rising Star' Mechanical Engineer Finds Inspiration in Helping Others

For Sarah Malik, PhD mechanical engineering ’24, engineering research impact and student success have always gone hand in hand. Since beginning her academic career at Drexel in 2015 as an undergraduate, Malik has been committed to her own personal growth as well as the success of her peers. In 2018, she introduced the Vertically Integrated Projects Program into her research lab, mentoring students across STEM disciplines. Her participation in mentoring initiatives and interest in building supportive and empowering learning environments have been at the center of her academic career at Drexel.

This October, Malik was selected as the first Drexel student to attend the Rising Stars in Mechanical Engineering Workshop at Stanford University, a career development program for the top female PhD candidates in mechanical engineering across the United States. Rising Stars in ME is hosted annually and brings together approximately 30 PhD students for networking sessions, lab tours, and panelist events. The workshop provides practical guidance in navigating academia, covering topics from landing a faculty position to developing a research story. Malik’s trip was funded by the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics department, Stanford University, ASME Donald O. Thompson Graduate Fellowship and the National Science Foundation.

For Malik, exposure to these resources and the exploration of state-of-the-art research facilities, including the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, reinforced her commitment to the graduate student community back at Drexel. She was particularly encouraged by the collaboration she witnessed between students and professors, noting the importance of these partnerships in inventive research output.

Among the many leaders that she spoke to at the workshop, Malik was particularly inspired by Stanford University Provost Dr. Persis Drell, whose lunch discussion covered issues of inclusivity in science and engineering fields.

“It was motivating to learn about her efforts toward the inclusion of women and setting a precedence in leadership,” Malik noted.

“Through my experience with mentoring students, I plan to demystify science and allow students to feel confident and safe when stepping into any lab or academic space. I hope to foster a community where underrepresented students feel optimistic and motivated to engage in every aspect of academia,” Malik elaborated.

For Malik, visiting Stanford was enriching not only in its networking opportunities with doctoral students from top universities and sessions with high-profile panelists, but also in the insight it provided into ways forward for Drexel University and our own engineering education resources.

The workshop informed Malik’s ongoing advocacy for the expansion of graduate student resources designed to strengthen the foundational skills that build adept researchers. As a Nina Henderson Provost Scholar, she is engaged in shaping the future of Drexel in accordance with the Drexel 2030 Strategic Plan, focusing on the graduate school experience. She hopes to ensure access to networks that support academic flourishing, inspired by the people and resources that have been integral to her doctoral journey. As a mentor, leader, and engineer, Malik envisions a future for Drexel’s engineering programs strengthened by collaboration and an empowered student community.