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Name: Madison Wenzlick
Position: Research engineer
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
At each stage of her career, Madison Wenzlick has advanced to higher levels of research excellence through her involvement in NETL Internship and Fellowship Programs.
As a master’s student, she served as a Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program participant and honed her skills under the guidance of NETL experts. She then completed two years as a postgraduate researcher before stepping into a role as a research contractor supporting NETL.
In 2023, Wenzlick became a federal researcher at NETL. She currently serves in the Computational Sciences and Engineering directorate, working on an array of projects and preparing the next generation to excel in important research roles.
Wenzlick, who is completing her doctorate in materials science at Oregon State University, shared her thoughts about her research, influences that led her to a career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and the professional satisfaction she has found as an NETL mentor.
So what do you do at NETL?
My work has included modeling and analysis for materials property prediction and design, energy water management and infrastructure assessment. I leverage data analytics and use machine learning to predict, for instance, if a new metal can adequately withstand the intense temperatures seen in power plants. With good data and powerful machine learning tools, we can make highly accurate predictions without completing time-consuming and costly experiments.
Are you making a difference in the real world?
We are indeed! In a power plant, the materials used to construct the pressure vessels, heat exchangers and turbine blades need to be strong enough to operate in extreme environments for years to ensure secure energy generation. Testing each new iteration of material takes months and even years. Better models can help speed up the time it takes to develop new materials, improve energy efficiency and support new energy technologies.
Why did you choose a STEM career? What ignited your early interest in science?
My parents fostered my interest in science and math from a young age. They encouraged me to pursue my interests, which included attending a bridge-building summer camp in the sixth grade through the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. I always enjoyed learning why things are the way they are in the physical world and designing and building things.
Working as an engineer in a research institution is an exciting blend of addressing real-world problems and using creativity to come up with new ideas, which are both reasons why I wanted to become an engineer.
What did you find to be the most rewarding part of your NETL internship experiences?
I met researchers working in different areas, including engineering, geology, carbon capture and more. I worked closely with a mentor to incorporate my research interests into a project and to complete a modeling project along with a report and a presentation. I continued working in this area after the program completed thanks to having this start on the project.
Why do you enjoy serving as an NETL mentor?
I enjoy serving as an NETL mentor because I want to offer others the same opportunity that I had to experience working as a researcher in a national laboratory, addressing important challenges that benefit the public. I also hope to encourage an interest in science and to help students grow their skills to prepare them for whatever future career they are passionate about. Lastly, I think that being a mentor helps me grow as well. I have been extremely impressed with the creativity and accomplishments of the mentees I have interacted with and I have always learned something along the way.
Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I love hiking and backpacking. I hiked the John Muir Trail (a 211-mile trail through the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California) in the summer of 2019. Additionally, I have started to learn woodworking and designed and built a mission-style console table.
Click here for more information about NETL internships.
