NC State student blends interests in science, fashion through research

As an incoming first-year student preparing to study biology, Maddy Moore knew she wanted to get involved in research. With an interest in conservation, biological resources and fashion, Moore quickly discovered the interdisciplinary programs at the Wilson College of Textiles and made the switch. 

“I noticed professors at the Wilson College were doing the kind of research I was interested in,” Moore says. “They have a lot of funding, and the research was very applied to what I wanted to study.”

Nearly four years later, Moore is completing her final semester at NC State studying textile technology with a concentration in medical textiles. This past summer, Moore wrapped up a paid research opportunity studying knitting machine technology and fabric production.

“I feel like I’ve gained a lot of clarity in what I want to do after graduation and that’s really exciting. My interests blend science with fashion and textiles, and I just love it.” 

NC State’s TECS (textile engineering, chemistry and science) REU program offers textile undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct paid 10-week research-based projects in specific areas of interest alongside research and faculty mentors. REU students participate in research, professional development seminars and an end-of-summer research symposium to showcase their findings. 

For Moore, the opportunity to participate in a research experience for undergraduates (REU) expanded her lab experience, enhanced her professional leadership skills, and better solidified her plans after graduation.

“Whatever comes your way, just try it. Research is valuable regardless of whether it’s something you’re passionate about. I think especially in the Wilson College of Textiles, there’s a lot of opportunity to find your niche.”

Was research always on your radar?

During first-year orientation, there was a huge emphasis on research, especially for STEM majors. Knowing I was interested in a career in STEM made research especially important to me. I know it’s useful in a graduate school application to have research under your belt, so I decided I wanted to do research, and I’ve grown a lot by getting involved. I love figuring things out, especially in a lab setting.

What stood out to you about the REU program that motivated you to apply?

I learned about REU through another student who was studying textile engineering.

Then one of my professors, Dr. Gluck, told my class about the program, telling us how REU was a great way to get research experience. I decided to apply after that. 

I think one thing that’s very different with REU than seeking out research on your own is the opportunity to connect and engage with research you’re passionate about. REU tries to fit you into an area of research you’re excited about, and lets the entire research process tailor to your personal research interests. 

I liked the flexibility and growth opportunities of the program a lot. The textile technology professors are very passionate because they want to see the program grow, and the entire faculty was so encouraging toward research. I love them.

Tell me about your research experience! What exactly did you research?

I worked under Dr. West and we practiced knitting techniques on the Dubied knitting machine. I conducted experiments with different yarn types and weights to see how they affect fabric structure and outcomes.

What did a typical day in your life look like as a researcher?

Typically, I’d be in the lab for at least five hours with my lab partner Julia. We’d discuss what fabric structures we were working on, what yarn we were using, and the mistakes we made previously. We both had our own designated machines to work on, so we’d problem-solve together to see if we could fix our machines or approach. Depending on the day, I’d go to career and development seminars hosted by the REU program. The seminars were a great opportunity to mingle with other REU students and ask them about their research. By that point, I’d be about ready to go home, so I’d go back up to clean up my workstation in the lab and head out for the day.

What was the workload like outside the labs?

For the first few weeks, I spent time researching the knitting machine. Then we had to write up our findings. Dr. West wanted us to take the reins, so he had us write our research proposals and take the lead under his guidance rather than being led by his instruction. After that, all our work was in the lab aside from REU-specific work and our final presentation slides and poster to show our final work.

Outside of research, were there any ways REU prepared you professionally?

There were a few different seminars hosted by the REU program throughout the summer. The one that stuck out to me the most was about mental health.  There were other seminars about networking on LinkedIn and resume building as well. I also participated in the Clifton Strengths Assessment, where we learned about our different strengths that can tell us how we work in a group setting, and that was very interesting. I like to gain more insight into who I am so I know how to work best for myself. It was interesting hearing other people’s points of view as well, and the assessment helped me remember that everyone works in different ways and our differentiating strengths can sometimes be beneficial in a group setting.

Did anything surprise you about research as a whole?

The textile technology program prepares us so well in our classes to do research. We have so many projects that are research-based in my major that undergraduate research matched what I was anticipating. Nothing surprised me about the program; it was very scheduled and structured. 

In terms of myself, I was surprised at the amount of effort and work I put into my research. I didn’t realize how time-consuming research is, especially before the actual lab work. I cared a lot about doing it properly and following the techniques to make sure everything was up to standards. Aside from classes or my part-time job, I hadn’t ever done something like REU before and it took me a little bit out of my comfort zone. It felt very professional like I was going to work and contributing similarly to how I would in the workforce. I took the opportunity to take my research as seriously as possible so I could gain as much from it as I could.

Has participation in the REU program influenced your career plans for the future?

Actually, yes! My concentration is in medical textiles, but after working with Dr. West, I developed a lot of admiration for the fashion management side of textiles. I like the idea of working with garments and textiles instead of just maybe working on a machine. So my REU research has definitely influenced my post-grad plans. As I look into graduate school I’m considering more of a fashion and design path. I’m interested in working on textile conservation and textile preservation, maybe in museums.

For any students who might be interested in research but aren’t sure yet, what suggestions do you have for them as they begin to navigate the REU process?

Whatever comes your way, just try it. Research is valuable regardless of if it’s something you’re passionate about or not. I think especially in the Wilson College of Textiles, there’s a lot of opportunity to find your niche. You’ll ultimately come across something or have a revelation that will help you in your future endeavors.

This post was originally published in Wilson College of Textiles News.