Influential Woman · Content Creation, Science Communication, Chemical Engineering

Erha Andini

Program Manager, NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub, Horn Entrepreneurship Official

Newark, DE

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree PhD in Chemical Engineering Degree Undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering Member American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Her Story

About Erha

I have a PhD in chemical engineering and work on two main things. I've been working on textile recycling for 5 years now. On the other side, I'm a science communicator where my goal is to make science make sense, and I've been working on that for 2 years at this point. My day involves keeping myself up to date with current news in the field of green technology, energy, materials, and environment. Then I come up with a content plan on relevant pop culture and make that easily connected to science. What inspired me to get into science communication is realizing that the field itself is lacking in voice still, because there's a lot of jargon in science, there are a lot of things that are hard to understand. There are so many PhD candidates or doctorates that are highly educated but unable to explain their work in a way that makes sense. I thought of contributing into that field where I help, at least for my expertise, helping the field of green technology, energy, environment, and materials become relatable to everyday things. Everything that we use requires engineering and there's chemistry involved in it, and a lot of people don't realize that, so my hope is to help bring awareness to that. I've grown to 130,000 people across Instagram and TikTok, and I'm expanding to LinkedIn now.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Erha

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would say it is following my personal curiosity. At this point, I've grown to 130,000 people across Instagram and TikTok, and I'm expanding to LinkedIn now. Following my personal curiosity typically leads to successful performing content.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

In my opinion, just try it. If they're thinking of becoming a science communicator, I would say just post the first video. It doesn't need to be heavily edited, just give it a try. Then slowly we learn all the skills required to make the video better, whether that's scripting, or better editing tools, or learning how to design Canva. But truly, in the end of the day, what's important is committing to doing it, and that is by just making the post. Because that's always the big hurdle.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

There are so many opportunities. I did my undergrad in chemical engineering and then proceeded to finish a PhD in chemical engineering as well. I thought that my career path would just be either going to stay in academia, becoming a professor, or go to industry, becoming a research scientist. But now I realize that all the skills learned in engineering or even PhD, that translates to all kinds of possible career paths. For me, now I am making science content, and this makes sense because doctorate is truly a training to teach, so this is a path that makes sense that I wasn't aware of. There's so many possible career paths that would open up from this education. As far as challenges, I would say there's the need to advocate for oneself and not lose yourself in the process. PhD can be very demanding, but it's still very important to nurture your softness and your curiosity, because that's what will make you stand out.

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