Speak Up, Get Creative, and Have Fun!

The Materials Research Society and Semiconductor Research Corporation are excited to introduce the moderator for the Microelectronic & Advanced Packaging Roadmap Technologies Panel, April 13 at the 2023 MRS Spring Meeting.

Hannah Margavio is a Ph.D. candidate at NCSU with two prestigious awards already under her belt. Margavio won Top 10 Best Student Presentation Award at SRC’s TECHCON 2022 as well as the ALD 2022 Best Student Paper award from the American Vacuum Society. Her work “focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of area-selective thin film growth and nucleation via simultaneous deposition and etching.” As an award-winning SRC Research Scholar passionate about materials science, she was an easy choice for moderator. We recently sat down to ask Hannah a few questions about this opportunity and her experience as a materials scientist.

Question: As a moderator for this panel, what do you find most interesting or exciting about this opportunity?

HM: As a researcher in academia, it can be difficult to see the forest for the trees. This opportunity gives me a chance to see exactly how and where my research meets the needs of the semiconductor fabrication industry. This discussion will also generate a lot of new ideas for researchers in the audience, including me, as we learn about emerging semiconducting materials. One thing I strive for--and something I think this panel will help address--is to emphasize to folks that a career in semiconductor research is tangible and feasible! You don't have to "fit a certain mold" to be embraced by the community. I used to think that because I received a public education in the deep south, I wasn't good enough or smart enough to pursue a career in microelectronics. I’m happy to learn that I was wrong.?

Question: Is allowing students to interview industry experts unique? What challenges do you think students will face?

HM: I think this is an extremely unique opportunity! In all the conferences I've attended, there seems to be a distinct generational gap between the legends in the industry and the young researchers. Because of that, it can be difficult or intimidating to communicate with each other. Thus, grad students and postdocs may miss out on conversations related to processing or material needs of the industry.

"Turtles all the way down."

Question: What is it about materials science that gets you excited?

HM: When I think about what excites me about materials science, I think of the phrase "turtles all the way down." There is still so much to discover about materials and their properties on infinite-length scales. The most exciting aspect of materials science research must be the characterization tools I get to use. The fact that I can use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to focus a beam of electrons down to the angstrom-level and take pictures of columns of atoms takes my breath away every time.

Question: What advice would you give to other students who are exploring materials science?

HM: My advice: speak up, get creative, and have fun! An idea for a new process, material, characterization, etc. does not have to be perfect to implement, so don't hold back from trying anything and everything. Also, try to take as many courses as possible that are unrelated to your concentration. Most of my best ideas have come from one of my elective courses like inorganic chemistry and fundamentals of TEM. Lastly, and most importantly, you do not have to be "conventionally smart" to get started in this field, you only need enthusiasm and resilience!

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Meet Hannah and other SRC Research Scholars at the Microelectronic & Advanced Packaging Roadmap Technologies Panel.

Thursday, April 13, 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Moscone West, Level 3, Room 3003