Tahani R. Amer
![[Tahani R. Amer's photo 2/98]](larc-tra.jpg)
Hi Everyone! My name is Tahani R. Amer and I am an Aerospace engineer
at the NASA Langley Research
Center (LaRC). I work in the Aerodynamic Measurement Branch, in the
area of developing instruments and sensors that measure the parameters needed
to design new airplanes.
I started my college education by going to medical school in Cairo, Egypt;
but I changed my major to engineering before even starting school due to
getting married at age 17 and moving to the United States. I obtained a
two-year associate degree in Science and at the same time I had two lovely
children. I went back to school to finish my mechanical engineering degree.
In 1992, I received my B.S. I then decided to obtain a masters degree in
engineering by going to school part time while working and raising my family.
It was very difficult. Therefore, I quit working and went to school full
time. I obtained my M.S. and I had my third child. I am still taking courses,
as a part-time student, to purse a doctorate degree in engineering.
I started working at NASA
LaRC in 1992 during my senior year at college. I worked on my senior
project in the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) area. By working on this
project, I gained valuable experience and I fulfilled my dream to work with
scientists and researchers in solving real life problems. It was a real
privilege to work with state-of-the-art technology and with researchers
who love their work. In 1994, while I was a graduate student, I started
working again at NASA Langley in a wind tunnel on an experiment for my master's
thesis. It was a valuable experience from both a theoretical and practical
point of view. I experienced the excitement of working with large CFD computer
codes. I also did such things as climbing up the ceiling of wind tunnel
to install a velocity probe. It was great!!!
Since the fall of 1994, after completing the experimental work needed for
my thesis, I have been working as an Aerospace Engineer in the Aerodynamic
Measurement Branch of the Experimental Testing Technology Division. I have
done a variety of tasks in both the pressure and thermal measurement area.
At present, I am developing a system to measure the thermal conductivity
of a thin film. This measurement is used in the thermal modeling of several
techniques for determining boundary layer transition location on models
being tested in wind tunnels. Working at NASA is never boring!!!
Math was and is my favorite subject. I always try to find new methods to
solve my work problems by using math models. I remember when I came to the
U.S.A in 1983 and took my first calculus class. Although I could not speak
a word in English, I made an A in the course. Then, I knew that an engineering
career might not be too bad for me.
I try to help in community service through NASA program, such as "Day of
Caring", and Engineering Week. I am also involved in our mosque programs
teaching Islamic rules and Arabic to young children.
My Advice: Look at this Picture ...
- Married (at age 17) with children
- Different culture and language
- B. S and M. S in Engineering
- Exciting career at NASA
IF I DID IT, ANYBODY CAN.
BELIVE IN YOURSELF AND GOOD LUCK.
Tahani has been featured with various other WON participants in the NASA "Consider a Career in Aerospace" poster which has been featured in Newsweek, US World and New Report, People, Glamour, etc. The poster was also made into a billboard and posted on all the subways in New York! And she has been featured in other NASA outreach educational program material.
OCTOBER 1997
