I’ve always loved art and music, but creating in those spaces rarely brought lasting satisfaction. I found comfort in science, where creativity is grounded in logic and discovery. Academic research gave me a space I never imagined possible: one where creativity could flourish, validated by science.

Throughout my journey, I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who believed in me, often before I could believe in myself. A college physics teacher once asked if I had considered electrical engineering. I hadn’t — coming from a family rooted in health sciences, it was unfamiliar. Yet that question planted a critical seed.

My first job as an applications engineer at Teradyne in Boston introduced me to exceptional managers who nurtured my confidence. Later, while working in Dallas for Texas Instruments, I was inspired by two women with PhDs, Dr. Elizabeth Marley and Dr. Isabella Cerutti, who encouraged me to pursue graduate studies. My PhD advisor, Professor Keren Bergman, became a lasting role model, not just in research, but in resilience and leadership.

My primary responsibility as a university professor is to ensure that the next generation of engineers is not only technically proficient but also equipped with the work ethic necessary to make meaningful contributions to society and improve quality of life. Interestingly, I didn’t always envision myself in this role. Drawn to service-oriented vocations, I once imagined becoming a physical education teacher or even a neurosurgeon. But during my PhD, I discovered how deeply fulfilling academic research could be: a space where intellectual challenge and creativity converge.

What continues to drive me is the opportunity to work with bright minds, supporting the growth of ideas from their sparks into contributions that shape science and society.

Restlessness has always been my greatest obstacle while also being my greatest source of energy — one that I’ve had to learn to tame and redirect. When channeled constructively, it holds immense promise. In my younger years, I was constantly in motion, drawn to endurance activities — Ironman races, cross-country skiing — and to team sports — basketball, hockey, water polo — as a way to release and refocus that intensity. While my body no longer allows me to follow those paths, I'm channeling this energy differently, with more intention and a sense of renewal through teaching and swimming.

For others considering a career in STEM: Follow your instincts. Push yourself beyond what feels comfortable. Discover your edge and embrace the challenge. At the same time, breathe, take moments to rest, and comfort yourself. Balance is strength.

Odile Liboiron-Ladouceur
Professor/Researcher, Electrical and Computer Engineering, McGill University
Born in Canada / Resides in Canada
Educational Background: BEng in Electrical Engineering, McGill University, Canada; MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering, Columbia University, United States