Olivia Graeve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olivia A. Graeve
Graeve speaks at the United States Consulate in Tijuana in 2016
Born	Tijuana, Mexico
Alma mater	University of California, Davis, PhD, 2001 University of California, San Diego, BS, 1995
Awards	Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, Tijuana Walk of Fame Inductee
Scientific career
Institutions	University of California, San Diego

Olivia Graeve is a brilliant mechanical and aerospace engineer. She is also a professor at the University of California San Diego. She leads the CaliBaja Center for Resilient Materials and Systems. This special research center works across the California-Mexico border.

Early Life and Education

Olivia Graeve grew up in Tijuana, Mexico. She was the oldest of five children. She started her college journey at Southwestern Community College. After two years, she moved to the University of California San Diego. There, she earned her first degree in structural engineering in 1995.

At UC San Diego, she was mentored by Joanna McKittrick. Joanna was one of the first women to teach engineering at the university. Olivia then went on to get her doctoral degree (PhD) in material science and engineering. She earned this degree from the University of California, Davis in 2001.

Her Career Path

After finishing her PhD, Olivia Graeve became a professor. She first taught at the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2008, she moved to New York to teach at Alfred University. Later, she returned to the University of California San Diego. She is now a full professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This department is part of the Jacobs School of Engineering.

Amazing Research in Materials

Olivia Graeve made history at UC San Diego. She was the first Latina engineering professor hired there. Her research focuses on creating new materials. These materials are designed to work in very tough places. Think about outer space or inside nuclear reactors!

Her team works on a special type of steel called SAM2X5-630. This steel is incredibly strong. It can handle huge impacts without breaking. It has a unique structure that makes it both flexible and super tough. This means it could be used for things like body armor. It could also protect satellites in space.

The CaliBaja Center

Professor Graeve is the director of the CaliBaja Center for Resilient Materials and Systems. This center started in 2016. It's a team effort between researchers at UC San Diego and the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Students and professors from both universities work together. They develop materials that can stand up to extreme heat and pressure. This research helps create better jet engines and nuclear reactors. The center also helps train new engineers. These engineers can work on projects on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Connecting Science Across Borders

Olivia Graeve strongly believes in working together. She promotes teamwork between the U.S. and Mexico. Especially in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

She helped create the CaliBaja Education Consortium. This group brings together over 20 schools and universities. These institutions are in Baja California and UC San Diego. They work together on science research and education. This helps students on both sides of the California-Mexico border.

For example, there's a program called ENLACE. It's a seven-week program for high school and college students. It allows them to learn and work together across the border.

Awards and Recognitions

Olivia Graeve has received many important awards for her work:

• 100 Most Powerful Women of Mexico, Forbes, 2017
• Fellow, American Ceramic Society, 2017
• Member, Mexican Academy of Engineering, 2016
• Member, Mexican Academy of Sciences, 2020
• Tijuana Walk of Fame Inductee, 2014
• Jaime Oaxaca Award, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, 2011
• Karl Schwartzwalder Professional Achievement in Ceramic Engineering (PACE) Award, American Ceramic Society, 2010
• National Science Foundation CAREER Awards, 2007
• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, 2020

See also

In Spanish: Olivia Graeve para niños