CEE Spotlight: Thiago Augusto Rodrigues

Hometown/County: Cianorte / Paraná / Brazil

What drew you to Civil and Environmental Engineering?

I was drawn to Civil and Environmental Engineering because of our field’s broad impact on people’s lives. After graduating in Mechanical Engineering in Brazil, I decided that I wanted to work closely with transportation and urban sustainability. So I applied and got accepted to CMU’s Master’s program in Civil and Environmental Engineering, where I felt a deep sense of belonging and the opportunity to learn from people with different cultural and professional backgrounds. Now, pursuing my Ph.D. degree, I am excited to apply the tools I have learned here to build a better and more sustainable society.

How did/does your identity influence your decision to pursue engineering/STEM?

As someone who comes from different dimensions of misrepresentation, I saw engineering and STEM as an environment where everyone could speak the same language. A place where people could be valued for their knowledge and their capacity to understand, develop, and apply science to solve problems. Over time I could see that prejudices and biases follow humanity everywhere, and we still have a long way to eliminate the inequalities in our field. Now, I am committed to using my space and privileges to transform engineering into a more inclusive environment for people worldwide.

How did your lens on diversity, equity, and inclusion take shape both as you grew up and as you entered adulthood and academia?

Growing up in Brazil, I have always seen diversity as a strength. On the other hand, I have also seen how our society can be unequal and unfair. As I entered academia, I started understanding and becoming aware of the extension of my privileges and how they contribute and have contributed to my journey. More importantly, I have begun to work so that people without the same privileges can still have the opportunities I had.

What positive experiences have you had at CMU that you would hope others would have?

As soon as I joined CMU, I felt at home. When I first came to the US, I was very insecure about my English, fearing that I would not belong here. But as I joined the program, I found that the staff and professors were highly open to helping the students to excel in their programs. CMU is also great for collaborating with and learning from other students. Working with my peers has helped me overcome many challenges during my program. 

In your position as a graduate student, how do you advocate for inclusion?

I am passionate about increasing awareness about mental health and the importance of students taking care of their psychological and physical health. I believe inclusion can only happen when people feel safe to be who they are. So I work actively as a member of the CEE DEI committee to help create a safer, more inclusive, equitable, and diverse department. In addition, I work for an NGO to help Brazilian students prepare to apply to graduate programs in North America and Europe.

Do you have any advice for incoming (students, faculty, or staff)?

Diversity is what makes CMU a special place. Take advantage of opportunities to meet people from other cultures and beliefs. Being part of CMU is understanding that we thrive through collaboration and cooperation. There are a lot of resources to help you, and everyone here will do their best to see you succeed. Do not be afraid to ask for help.