4/16/2013
Maryann Tung discovered her passion for electrical engineering while building bridges for Science Olympiad in high school and while interning at a physics laboratory during her junior year. Thanks to the Engineering Visionary Scholarship, Tung has been able to pursue that passion at the University of Illinois.
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Maryann Tung discovered her passion for electrical engineering while building bridges for Science Olympiad in high school and while interning at a physics laboratory during her junior year. Thanks to the Engineering Visionary Scholarship, Tung has been able to pursue that passion at the University of Illinois.
Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of short biographical sketches on the College’s Engineering Visionary Scholars. The scholars are identified based on academic ability and leadership potential and are expected to excel in their class work and develop as leaders. They enjoy a number of unique benefits and opportunities such as special classes and seminars just for Engineering Visionary Scholars. This year, the College of Engineering will graduate its first group of EVS scholars.
“The first thing I noticed was that the second engineering quad is all about research,” said Tung, a senior from Portland, Ore. “I had developed an interest in nanotechnology while in high school and when I came to Illinois discovered there is a whole building devoted to nanotechnology.”
She got involved with research on campus almost immediately, first under David Ruzic at the Nuclear Radiations Laboratory and most recently under Eric Pop at the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory.
“I emailed a number of professors about working under them and they all got back to me right away,” Tung said. “I feel like I’m lucky to be at an institution where there are ample ways for me to become involved in undergraduate research.”
Tung has also been heavily involved the electrical engineering honor society, Eta Kappa Nu, serving first as secretary and currently as vice president.
“Through that organization, I met a lot of people who really care about the ECE department and making it a better place to be as a student,” said Tung of that experience.
Tung is pursuing graduate school options that will hopefully lead her to a career as a professor.
“At the very least, I’d like to do research in some capacity, most likely in academia.”
Tung has become proficient in working with nanomaterials but again emphasized that it has been her work in the lab that has made the difference.
“It has really reinforced what I’ve learned in class,” Tung said. “Because of the research, I remember things I learned in class that I may not otherwise remember.”
Whatever the future holds, Tung believes that Illinois has helped pave the way.
“Illinois carries a big name with a great reputation and a lot of great resources. I know I’ve been working in good labs and my classes have been rigorous. It’s an education I can be proud of.”
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If you have any questions about the College of Engineering, or other story ideas, contact Mike Koon, writer/editor, Engineering Communications Office, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 217/244-1256.