Applause for Two MAE Women

March 13, 2023 - UCI Women in Technology have highlighted Natascha Trellinger Buswell and Yu-Chien (Alice) Chien among eight others on campus who deserve recognition this year through the group’s Applause Program. Recipients were nominated by peers and colleagues for their impact and accomplishments in fostering an inclusive culture at UCI through their words, values, actions and attitudes. For the past three years, during Women’s History Month, WiT’s Applause Program honors women who embody WiT’s “Advance. Inspire. Empower. Act.” motto in the workplace.

In the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Trellinger Buswell serves as an assistant professor of teaching, and Chien is an associate project scientist and director of the Lasers, Flames and Aerosols Research Group.

Trellinger Buswell was cited for “enhancing the equity and inclusivity of diverse students, including women, and for running a social media account that teaches about making engineering choices that are fair and bringing attention to the harmful impacts that tech and engineering can perpetuate to diverse users.” She was also recognized in the UC system’s Women Rock IT 2023 showcase, featuring the outstanding contributions of women who are driving and supporting the IT that underpins the UC mission.

Chien was noted as “a committed and selfless mentor of women and other underrepresented groups in STEM. She breaks boundaries, stretches the envelope of customary practice, and demands fairness and conscientious treatment of all, independent of academic standing, race, gender, culture and ethnicity.”

For more information on the 2023 recipients, see the Applause Program website.

– Lori Brandt