03/17/2026

Spotlight: Women’s History Month Through an Academic Lens

Spotlight: Women’s History Month Through an Academic Lens

Q: What’s your role, and who are you outside the job title?

Rachel: I’m a postdoctoral fellow in explosives engineering at Missouri S&T. After earning my PhD in explosives engineering in 2024, Dr. Johnson hired me to stay and continue working with her! Outside the lab, I play roller derby, love baking, and working on my family’s railroad!

Catherine: I’m the Quenon Associate Professor of Mining and Explosives Engineering at Missouri S&T and have been teaching and conducting research for the past eleven years. My work spans mining, commercial, and military applications. Outside academia, I play roller derby, enjoy horseback riding, going to the lake and anything outdoors! 

Q: Roller Derby is a unique activity, how did you get started playing the sport? And what are your derby names?

Rachel: My derby name is Boom. I definitely picked something that aligned with my work in explosives. Dr. Johnson invited me to practice during my first semester here when the team needed more players, and she knew I had an athletic background. It ended up being a great way to relieve stress during my PhD, and I’ve made some lifelong friends through it.

Catherine: My derby name is Cup-a-TNT, a fun combination of my British roots and work with explosives. One of my friends from the university was on the local team and recruited me to play, I didn't know how to skate, but she knew I was missing playing a team sport. That was eight years ago now.

Q: How did you get into the commercial explosives and mining industry?

Rachel: I actually started out as an aerospace engineer and had a few internships testing rocket motors. While working in Utah, some friends who went to Missouri S&T for graduate school were talking about the explosives engineering program and the research happening there and mentioned it was the only university in the country with a degree in explosives engineering. I went on to earn a master’s degree in human factors and systems engineering and I had almost forgotten about the explosives program. Then COVID happened, and I wasn’t able to return to the test engineering position I had been working in. One day, I saw someone wearing a Missouri S&T T-shirt and remembered those conversations from earlier. I thought, “That sounds fun - I want to blow stuff up.” I applied that night, and here I am!

Catherine: My background was actually in geology and mathematics, which led me to mining. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mining and Quarry Engineering from the University of Leeds in the UK. I then had the opportunity to move to the United States and pursue my PhD at the University of Kentucky, where I worked on blasting research. After finishing my degree, I applied for a position at Missouri S&T, where I now work across many different aspects of the explosives industry.

Q: The infamous imposter syndrome...Is it a thing for you?

Catherine: I still feel it and I’m not sure it ever fully goes away. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or an experienced professional, you’re always pushing yourself and taking the next unknown step. That can naturally make you feel like you might not know what you’re doing. From teaching new students who might ask a question that catches you off guard to receiving comments from collaborators on papers, there are many moments that can trigger that feeling. But in many ways, it’s a sign that you care about what you’re doing and want to keep learning and improving. The key is learning how to manage it and keep moving forward.

Q: What advice would you give your younger self at the start of your career?

Catherine: I would say: yes, you can do it, and you’ll figure it out. In many ways, I ended up living that advice myself. I moved to the U.S. at 22 and had a faculty job by 25. I often said yes to opportunities first and then figured out how to do them later. Being confident in your ability to learn and adapt is incredibly important. Taking chances and trusting yourself can open doors you might not have expected.

Q: What’s one misunderstanding people have about the commercial explosives or mining industry?

Catherine: People often assume it’s a “boys’ club,” but in reality it’s a very welcoming, family-like environment. People support each other and genuinely want to see others succeed. It’s an industry that’s hard to leave because of the people. At conferences and events, you constantly meet new people who are excited about the work and passionate about the industry. Once you become part of the community, it really does feel like a group you never want to leave.

Q: What keeps you motivated during challenging moments in your career?

Rachel: Celebrating milestones, like having a paper accepted, really helps. It’s also motivating when colleagues recognize your work. It’s validating to see that what you do matters to others. I also really appreciate the supportive culture in the industry that Dr. Johnson mentioned. People genuinely want to see you succeed and celebrate your wins with you. It’s great to have that kind of encouragement, whether it’s after a presentation, a publication, or a new research result.

Catherine: For me, a lot of motivation comes from my former students, seeing where they end up, the great things they accomplish, and how they give back to the industry. Getting messages from students thanking me for the support they received during their time at S&T means a lot and reminds me why I love what I do. It’s especially rewarding to watch them grow into leaders in the field. For example, Nick Kuehl, who now works as Manager of Technical Affairs for IME, was one of my students just a year ago. When I was asked for thoughts about the position at IME, he was the first person who came to mind. Seeing him step into that role and thrive has been incredibly rewarding.

Q: What skills or qualities have helped you succeed the most?

Rachel: The ability to work with and communicate across different personalities has been really important. Networking and building relationships with people across the industry has been invaluable. Through conferences and meetings, I’ve met so many people. And, being able to connect with them and maintain those relationships has helped me grow my professional network.

Catherine: Being personable and open-minded has been key for me. Being willing to see where opportunities take you and staying flexible can lead to unexpected paths. Many people in this industry end up where they are because they were open to opportunities and willing to say yes - and that was certainly true in my case as well.

Q: What song best represents you in your career?

Rachel: Here comes the boom!

Catherine: I used to say Sting’s Englishman in New York, now it’s Ed Sheeran’s American Town.