Isabel Interview
Interview Overview
Location: Lily B. Mann Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky
Interviewee: Dr. Isabel Escobar, College of Engineering
Project: I'm Diversity Oral History Project
Personal Background
Name: Isabel Escobar
Spelling: I S A V E L E S C O B A R
Age: 45
Current Roles:
Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Kentucky
Associate Editor at Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy journal
Chair of the Association for Women in Science Chapter and Affiliates Committee
President of the Association for Women in Science, Kentucky affiliate
Personal Life and Family
Adopted Daughter: Tessa (born on Cinco de Mayo)
Adoption experiences quick succession of events:
Intent to adopt a boy in January 2015 fell through.
Received a call for Tessa's adoption a month later, after initial emotional distress.
Finalized adoption in November 2015 while relocating to Kentucky.
Important People: Family includes Tessa, husband (Marty), parents, in-laws, friends considered family, and dogs.
Pride in Family Achievements:
Inspired by father's life as an international pilot, rising from humble beginnings to a position of success.
Acknowledges the importance of education and support received from family.
Current achievements include obtaining tenure and becoming a full professor, aiming to be a role model for others.
Professional Journey and Experiences
Tenure at UK: Joined the University of Kentucky on August 1, 2015.
Physical Changes on Campus: Notes substantial physical changes such as the construction of new buildings and the enhancement of the campus environment.
Cultural Changes: Observed a growing focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives within the College of Engineering, particularly under new leadership that promotes women and diversity.
Student Diversity: Notes stagnation in the percentage of women in engineering (14% in 2000 to 16% now) and challenges minority representation across the field.
Mentorship: Acknowledged reputation as a mentor and advocate for female faculty and engineers.
Childhood and Early Life in Brazil
Place of Birth: Curitiba, Brazil; grew up in Rio de Janeiro.
Key Family Members:
Parents: Vera (mother) and Elias (father).
Grandmother, named Isabel, played a significant role in her life, promoting education and independence.
Education: Attended a private Catholic school where science and evolution were openly discussed.
Cultural influences: Strong role models were female figures such as nuns and family.
Influences on Career Choices
Early Aspirations:
Initially wanted to be a firefighter influenced by witnessing a fire from the school playground.
Discovered talent and passion for math and science during school, leading to a desire to become an engineer by age 11.
Professional Aspirations
Preferred Career: If not in engineering, would pursue anthropology or Egyptology, citing a fascination with Egypt.
Language Proficiency: Speaks two and a half languages (English, Portuguese, and half Spanish).
Diversity and Inclusion Perspectives
Definition of Diversity: Represents a community reflecting broader societal diversity, promoting learning from varied experiences and lifestyles.
Challenges in Academia:
Faces biases as a Latina faculty member, including implications such as being dismissed as overly emotional in discussions.
Recognizes challenges for LGBTQ+ members in engineering, advocating for their visibility and inclusion.
Institutional Commitment: Advocates that educational institutions need to commit to diversity as part of their core mission to prevent intellectual stagnation.
Experiences with Bias and Advocacy
Incident Reports: Shares experiences with sexist/racist remarks during her academic journey; highlights the importance of standing up against such behavior in current contexts.
Encouragement: Wishes to promote respect and mutual support within educational environments as a means of ensuring a diverse and inclusive atmosphere.
Academic Research Focus
Research Background: Passionate about water treatment, driven by early childhood experiences witnessing cholera outbreaks and their causes related to waterborne diseases.
Current Research: Focuses on water treatment methods, particularly membranes as filtration systems.
TED Talk: Discusses influential incidents in water quality crises, including the Toledo water crisis and Flint water crisis, detailing the societal implications of inadequate water treatment.
Bucket List and Future Aspirations
Professional Goals: Aims to publish impactful research papers and continue contributing to advancements in water treatment.
Personal Goals:
Running a marathon in every state in the U.S. as part of the 50 States Club, aiming to complete the goal in an engaging way while balancing family life.
Conclusion
Expressed a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and advocacy in her field.
Highlights the importance of fostering an environment where diverse voices are heard and valued.
Interview Overview
Location: Lily B. Mann Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky
Interviewee: Dr. Isabel Escobar, College of Engineering
Project: I'm Diversity Oral History Project
Personal Background
Name: Isabel Escobar
Spelling: I S A V E L E S C O B A R
Age: 45
Current Roles:
Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Kentucky
Associate Editor at Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy journal
Chair of the Association for Women in Science Chapter and Affiliates Committee
President of the Association for Women in Science, Kentucky affiliate
Personal Life and Family
Adopted Daughter: Tessa (born on Cinco de Mayo)
Adoption experiences quick succession of events:
Intent to adopt a boy in January 2015 fell through.
Received a call for Tessa's adoption a month later, after initial emotional distress.
Finalized adoption in November 2015 while relocating to Kentucky.
Important People: Family includes Tessa, husband (Marty), parents, in-laws, friends considered family, and dogs.
Pride in Family Achievements:
Inspired by father's life as an international pilot, rising from humble beginnings to a position of success.
Acknowledges the importance of education and support received from family.
Current achievements include obtaining tenure and becoming a full professor, aiming to be a role model for others.
Professional Journey and Experiences
Tenure at UK: Joined the University of Kentucky on August 1, 2015.
Physical Changes on Campus: Notes substantial physical changes such as the construction of new buildings and the enhancement of the campus environment.
Cultural Changes: Observed a growing focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives within the College of Engineering, particularly under new leadership that promotes women and diversity.
Student Diversity: Notes stagnation in the percentage of women in engineering (14% in 2000 to 16% now) and challenges minority representation across the field.
Mentorship: Acknowledged reputation as a mentor and advocate for female faculty and engineers.
Childhood and Early Life in Brazil
Place of Birth: Curitiba, Brazil; grew up in Rio de Janeiro.
Key Family Members:
Parents: Vera (mother) and Elias (father).
Grandmother, named Isabel, played a significant role in her life, promoting education and independence.
Education: Attended a private Catholic school where science and evolution were openly discussed.
Cultural influences: Strong role models were female figures such as nuns and family.
Influences on Career Choices
Early Aspirations:
Initially wanted to be a firefighter influenced by witnessing a fire from the school playground.
Discovered talent and passion for math and science during school, leading to a desire to become an engineer by age 11.
Professional Aspirations
Preferred Career: If not in engineering, would pursue anthropology or Egyptology, citing a fascination with Egypt.
Language Proficiency: Speaks two and a half languages (English, Portuguese, and half Spanish).
Diversity and Inclusion Perspectives
Definition of Diversity: Represents a community reflecting broader societal diversity, promoting learning from varied experiences and lifestyles.
Challenges in Academia:
Faces biases as a Latina faculty member, including implications such as being dismissed as overly emotional in discussions.
Recognizes challenges for LGBTQ+ members in engineering, advocating for their visibility and inclusion.
Institutional Commitment: Advocates that educational institutions need to commit to diversity as part of their core mission to prevent intellectual stagnation.
Experiences with Bias and Advocacy
Incident Reports: Shares experiences with sexist/racist remarks during her academic journey; highlights the importance of standing up against such behavior in current contexts.
Encouragement: Wishes to promote respect and mutual support within educational environments as a means of ensuring a diverse and inclusive atmosphere.
Academic Research Focus
Research Background: Passionate about water treatment, driven by early childhood experiences witnessing cholera outbreaks and their causes related to waterborne diseases.
Current Research: Focuses on water treatment methods, particularly membranes as filtration systems.
TED Talk: Discusses influential incidents in water quality crises, including the Toledo water crisis and Flint water crisis, detailing the societal implications of inadequate water treatment.
Bucket List and Future Aspirations
Professional Goals: Aims to publish impactful research papers and continue contributing to advancements in water treatment.
Personal Goals:
Running a marathon in every state in the U.S. as part of the 50 States Club, aiming to complete the goal in an engaging way while balancing family life.
Conclusion
Expressed a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and advocacy in her field.
Highlights the importance of fostering an environment where diverse voices are heard and valued.