10 Questions With...

10-Questions is a feature initiated by Dean Shekhar Garde to highlight the accomplishments of our students, faculty, and alumni. 10-Questions focuses on academic and professional accomplishments as well as some personal perspectives and experiences.

10-Questions with Coral Torres Cruz ’09

From Puerto Rico to Washington DC via Troy, NY – A journey to improve national infrastructure

Tell us a bit about yourself.I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. I grew up in a small rural town on the island filled with beautiful coastal views and amazing beaches.

10-Questions with Motodi Maserumule ’02

On a multidisciplinary and intercontinental journey, building bridges among people, and the future of Africa

I grew up in the northern part of South Africa, in the historic area of Sekhukhuniland in the old Transvaal Province, the present-day Limpopo Province. The area was named after my great-grandfather, King Sekhukhuni I.

10-Questions with Christina Gilliland ’15

On the Desire to Learn More, Those Golden Days, and Being an Engineer Every Day

Upstate New York has been home my entire life. I was born and raised in Cazenovia, a small town in Central New York. I attribute my study of engineering to the opportunities the Cazenovia school district and community offered.

10-Questions with Robin Kemper ’79, ’81G

On Career Paths, the RPI Ratio, and Having Fun

I was born in Oak Ridge, Tennesee, attended kindergarten at the two-room public school in the village of Streatly on the Thames, England, and went back to Oak Ridge for the next two years.

10-Questions with Thomas G. Capek ’86

Engineering a Better World

My title at Corning is Senior Vice President and Chief Engineer. I’m grateful to lead an engineering organization in a Fortune 500 company that’s been in existence for more than 170 years.

10-Questions with Peter A. Torzilli ‘70G, ’74Ph.D.

On challenging the convention, lighting the flame, and opening the doors of opportunity…

In my early years, I moved around quite a bit as a child; born in Brooklyn, New York, moved to Long Island, NY and then back to Brooklyn where I graduated from Lafayette High School in 1963. 

10-Questions with Jonna Gerken, ’96 ’01G

On Problem Solving, Making the World Better, and Supporting Diversity and Women in Engineering

I grew up on Long Island (NY) and attended Lawrence High School – a relatively small school where everyone knew everyone. I had a few different ‘groups’ of friends, some that I had known since before elementary school. 

10-Questions with Jessica Parenteau, ‘05

From the Machine Shop to Saving Lives

I was born at Samaritan Hospital, attended Troy Middle and High School, and then went to Rensselaer for college! So, I am a true Troy Trojan; it’s in my blood, and RPI is too! My Dad (Sam Chiappone) is the director of manufacturing innovation at RPI, and has been employed there for almost 40 years.

10-Questions with Peter E. Hart, ‘62

Meet RPI’s AI pioneer, cyclist, furniture maker, and bird photographer

I received a B.E.E. degree in 1962, so long ago that when people ask me about my degree I sometimes joke that I have a Bachelor’s degree in “electricity”. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and had to decide between RPI and MIT when it came to undergraduate school. 

10-Questions with Cheryl Porro ‘93

On empathy, creativity, and leadership

I grew up in North Eastern Massachusetts. My mom immigrated from Portugal with her family when she was about 14. She came here wanting to live the American dream.

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