A determined journey has led Indian immigrant Lavanya Muthusamy to the cusp of earning her Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Clemson University. Muthusamy’s academic path, which began in Tamil Nadu, India, has been marked by significant challenges and personal transformation, ultimately reigniting her passion for research.
Muthusamy was born the third of six children in a family that prioritized education. Her father worked as an electrician, which inspired her early interest in electronics. She completed a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering in 2009, followed by a master’s in embedded systems technology in 2014, both from Anna University, a leading engineering institution in southern India. Although she aspired to pursue a Ph.D., her plans shifted dramatically after she moved to the United States in 2014 after marrying.
Upon arriving in the U.S., Muthusamy faced the challenges of adapting to a new environment while caring for her young daughter, who required early speech support. Despite these hurdles, she remained committed to her academic aspirations. “Something in me refused to give up,” she stated.
In 2019, Muthusamy began volunteering at Clemson’s Nanoscale and Sensors Lab. This decision was pivotal, allowing her to immerse herself in a research environment while still focusing on her family. Faculty members at Clemson recognized her dedication and encouraged her to formally enter the doctoral program.
In 2020, she officially began her Ph.D. journey. This coincided with the onset of the global pandemic, adding further complexity to her studies. Muthusamy described her return to academia as both terrifying and empowering, noting, “Every day, I drove two hours to the lab. There were nights without sleep, balancing assignments, research deadlines, caregiving, and journal writing.”
Despite the demanding schedule, Muthusamy thrived at Clemson. She published a dozen peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as Materials and Design and ACS Photonics, and presented her research at five international conferences. Her accomplishments were acknowledged by Goutam Koley, Professor in the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who praised her determination and academic merit.
Muthusamy’s ambition set her apart from her peers, leading to an internship and then a full-time position as a process development engineer at Texas Instruments nearly a year before graduation. Her work focuses on developing and integrating advanced semiconductor technologies.
Looking ahead, Muthusamy aims to apply her research skills to tackle real-world challenges within the semiconductor industry. She also plans to mentor young engineers, particularly women in STEM and international students, to help them navigate similar challenges. “I hope my story resonates with others, especially women, mothers, and immigrants in STEM, who wonder if their dreams can coexist with their responsibilities,” Muthusamy expressed. “I am living proof that they absolutely can.”
Through her journey, Lavanya Muthusamy has transformed obstacles into opportunities, ultimately rediscovering her passion for research and paving the way for future generations in the field.
