Titilayo (Titi) Shodiya

Hometown: Upper Marlboro, Maryland

My job: I am currently a program manager in the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

My job in a nutshell: Basically, I am a scientific auditor. I assess labs all over the world to make sure they are compliant to specific international standards; this includes their technical work and their quality systems. 

Through my career I hope to: make an impact on the international scientific community that is greater than the work I have done at the lab bench. I want to increase diversity in STEM majors and careers, and improve the scientific literacy of all people.

Why I chose Penn State: Penn State was the only university I visited that felt like home. And I knew the Penn State name would open doors for me, and it definitely has!

The professors that had the biggest impact on me/the professor I will never forget: Dr. Allen Kimel is a HUGE reason I have been able to be successful as an engineer. He wasn’t my official academic adviser, but his mentorship during my time at Penn State was life changing. He is such a great asset to the MatSE program because he truly cares.

Fun fact about me: I was recently featured in ELLE magazine online for winning a podcast competition with Spotify. I have a podcast with one of my good friends from graduate school called “Dope Labs,” where we show the intersection of science and pop culture. Our pilot should be out this fall so keep your eyes and ears peeled! 

You might be surprised to know that: I hiked 110 miles through the Italian, Swiss, and French Alps for my honeymoon. 

The teams I always cheer for: The Nittany Lions! (of course), the Duke Blue Devils, and the Michigan Wolverines. 

I’m always up for watching: Judge Judy…I’ve never loved someone so rude so much.

The holiday I most look forward to is: SHARK WEEK on Discovery Channel. That’s a holiday for me! 

My advice to graduating students: The PSU network after graduation is an amazing resource, so always reach out. Also, always reach back to help people as you are advancing in your career.