Chief Materials Engineer and Manager Angie Cheung Challenges Boundaries
By Allison McLellan
Angie Cheung, Chief Materials Science Engineer Stanadyne LLC
Those at UConn may recognize Angie Cheung from her position on the Materials Science and Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, a group of nine highly reputable industry partners working to strengthen the visibility of UConn’s MSE Department across all levels.
Ms. Cheung’s addition to the board this past year is due to her success as the Chief Materials Engineer and Manager, Materials Science and Engineering at Stanadyne LLC. The company is a manufacturer of fuel pumps and fuel injectors for diesel and gasoline engines. In lending her insight to the MSE Department, Ms. Cheung strives to find opportunities where Stanadyne and UConn can collaborate on projects in order to solve problems related to the automotive and high-volume industries.
Currently, Angie leads her group at Stanadyne in the expanse of metallurgical engineering capabilities through failure analysis, product and process development, and the resolution of manufacturing and quality related issues. She has been developing the design metallurgy function as a new responsibility for the group she manages.
Angie has culminated a curiosity for science since childhood. Her father was a mechanical engineer whose projects intrigued her, motivating her own interest in engineering. As a means to merge science and engineering, she decided to study materials science and engineering.
In pursuit of this career, she obtained a B.S. in materials science and engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, followed by a M.S. in engineering science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Hartford. Her resume shines with experience in automotive and aerospace industries, including her work at Hamilton Sundstrand in Materials Engineering, as well as her experience in materials and processing and materials engineering at Cummins Engine Company-Fuel Systems.
With respect to her own achievements, Angie attributes her success to the support of her family, friends, and mentors. She maintains a dedication to stay curious, continue learning, and work hard to reach her goals in a field she enjoys. She believes that a strong leader is well respected by others, technically competent, trustworthy, supportive of employees, and has a vision for the organizations future. Overall, she says, “A strong leader is someone who will do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.”
As a powerful woman in the mainly male dominated sphere of engineering and science disciplines, Angie has learned how to overcome any barriers across her career path. She says, “To those where gender was never an issue, I have been treated as a peer with the respect of my colleagues. Establishing strong working relationships, continuing to build on prior knowledge, communicating effectively, and being assertive have been essential. I have been very fortunate to work with a number of talented colleagues who were generous in sharing their knowledge and prior experiences with me.”
In fact, Ms. Cheung emphasizes the importance of this solid network for any person hoping to also pursue a professional leadership role. With a field as expansive as materials science and engineering, one cannot be an expert in everything; trusted colleagues provide unique perspectives for collaboration and learning. “I have found it useful during my career to work with others who have experiences and expertise in different fields than mine…Don’t be afraid to try something that is outside of your comfort zone. Challenging yourself can be a gratifying experience.”
Published: April 11, 2016
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