Elizabeth Chang-Davidson
Elizabeth Chang-Davidson, a 2015 graduate, was deeply involved in Gunn High School''s community. She was a member of seven clubs, including serving as the president of the garden club. Additionally, Elizabeth was actively engaged in the math club, eventually becoming its secretary, and participated in the Junior State of America. Academically, she pursued a rigorous curriculum, particularly excelling in math, and also took automotive classes, finding enjoyment in the subject. Elizabeth also explored computer science with Mr. Paley, an experience she found rewarding. Her extracurricular activities extended to robotics, where she was part of the Space Cookies team.
In college, Elizabeth continued her diverse interests. She worked on an electric race car project and later shifted focus to musical theater, contributing to set building, costume design, and other aspects. She was also a member of the marching band. Academically, Elizabeth majored in math and mechanical engineering, further highlighting her commitment to both STEM fields and the arts, the latter evidenced by her concentration in theater and coursework in that area.
Professionally, Elizabeth pursued higher education, culminating in a PhD, which she completed last year. She also completed a postdoc at Northeastern University, focusing on metal 3D printing, before moving to Carnegie Mellon University.
Reflecting on her time at Gunn, Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of being organized and managing time effectively, skills she continues to find invaluable. Her advice to Gunn students is to prioritize work-life balance, drawing from her own experiences of feeling stressed and the wisdom she gained from others, like Mr. O'Connell, who stressed the importance of finding a personal balance between effort and personal well-being.
