By the age of fourteen, Cordelia already knew she wanted to study Aeronautical Engineering - the branch of engineering focused on aircraft and rockets. She was a huge fan of planes and rockets, and admired Dr. Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-born astronaut and aeronautical engineer who worked for NASA.
After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering, Cordelia studied for a Master’s in Industrial Engineering, which opened her eyes to how engineering ideas connect across different fields, and to the power of statistics and probability. Her first job was as a Data Analysis Engineer in the energy industry, followed by a role as a Senior Industrial Engineer in the semiconductor industry, where she earned a prestigious “Six Sigma Black Belt” qualification at just twenty-six years old.
“Everyone’s journey looks different - so find what works best for you.”
After four years of work, Cordelia moved to the UK to pursue a PhD in Aircraft Health Management, sponsored by Boeing, the aerospace company - researching how aircraft can monitor their own health, a bit like how our bodies tell us when something’s wrong. She completed her PhD while caring for her eight-month-old baby during a global pandemic - something she describes as her proudest achievement, both personally and professionally.
Today, Cordelia works as a Senior AI Research Scientist, combining her expertise in aerospace, engineering and artificial intelligence.