Student Spotlight: Tamunoemi (Emi) Braide

Tamunoemi (Emi) Braide from the Lutkenhaus Lab recently attended the Society of Women Engineers Conference where she learned about leadership and communications in engineering. Emi also founded the African Graduate Students Association (AGSA) with Dr. Atokileso. Read further to learn about Emi’s PhD experience. 

• What motivated you about your research?

Growing up in Nigeria, I quickly got familiar with sustainability and how that trickles down into every facet of life, and how individuals should take responsibility for contributing to global sustainability goals for a better world. This motivated me to seek opportunities to learn how I can effectively contribute to these sustainability goals that would benefit human and environmental health. With this at my core, my research interests have evolved. I began research during my undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky by investigating the stability of proteins related to Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, COVID-19 RNA degradation in aqueous environments, and nutrient transport in Belize. Now at Texas A&M University, in my graduate studies, I work extensively in developing advanced polymeric materials that are both sustainable and of high-performance, which have an impact in biomedical applications with drug delivery systems and implants; environmental remediation initiatives with water treatment membranes; as well as food security initiatives with durable packaging and coatings.

• What is a highlight in your PhD experience, and what did you take away from  the experience?

I have had many highlights during my PhD. To pick one, my friend and I, Dr. Ifeoluwa Atokileso, founded the African Graduate Students Association (AGSA), formerly the West African Graduate Students Association (WAGSA). In this role, I have spearheaded numerous initiatives to support and empower graduate students and have organized outreach efforts that enrich the broader campus and local community. These experiences have strengthened my ability to lead diverse teams, manage impactful projects, and foster spaces where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Through my different highlight experiences, I learned that most people never get to see how brilliant they can be. I am excited about being in a state of flow, improving every day, and expanding my toolbox to make an impactful change in the world.

• What advice do you have for current graduate students?

Figure out your WHY and AVOID COMPARISON. Graduate school is not something you do just to get another designation behind your name. It is an opportunity for you to learn to think critically about information and to make informed next steps in whatever field you choose. You have a chance to prepare your launch pad to make the most impact. The world needs thinkers. The world needs people who can see ideas through to the final product. The world needs people like you. It gets hard, but keeping your motivation in the forefront makes the tasking journey bearable. You can do hard things. Finally, have fun!

·       How did you learn about the SWE conference travel opportunity and what did you learn from the event?

I first learned about the SWE conference travel opportunity through the TAMU SWE LinkedIn page. A major highlight of the event was exploring the concepts of 'Quiet Leadership' and the 'Double Bind' that women often navigate in engineering. I walked away realizing that effective leadership is a delicate balance of warmth and technical competency, and the experience reinforced that my authentic story is my greatest professional asset.

Beyond leadership, I am focused on the transition of research from the benchtop to the marketplace. As I move toward industry-facing roles, learning to bridge the gap between high-level academic inquiry and industrial scalability has become a core part of my professional development. Engaging with SWE members has helped me sharpen the communication skills necessary to navigate the space between diverse technical teams and broader stakeholders, ensuring that impact remains at the heart of my professional journey.