To be successful in any career you must be innovative, do cross-disciplinary investigation, be driven by a purpose and above all be honorable, said Dr. Deborah D.L. Chung, a distinguished scientist, concert pianist and an avid inventor who holds more than 15 patents.

Chung spoke at Thunderbird's Glendale campus February 11 at the invitation of the campus chapter of Graduate Women in Business.

"You have to get out of your [comfort] box and cross disciplinary [boundaries]…this breads creativity," said Chung, who is a professor of materials research and mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Buffalo in New York.

The four keys that led to her success in a male-dominated field, Chung said, were to be innovative, do invention marketing, protect her intellectual property, and do thorough business planning and development.

Among Chung's 15 patents the most notable is "smart concrete," which is concrete embedded with microscopic rods of carbon that transmit information such as how much stress is on the floor, how many people are in the room or temperatures of the environment to computers for analysis. Another notable invention of Chung's is "thermal paste," a thermal interface material that allows for higher conductivity, which cools computers faster and allows them to work more efficiently.

The keys to success in any field, she said, are: solid training, a breadth of knowledge, humility to learn continuously, an ability to cross-disciplinary boundaries, versatility and adaptability, discernment, an ability to make professional judgments, perseverance and diligence, time management skills, understanding the need, understanding the limitations, creativity and understanding the necessity of communication and discussion.

"Learn to ask the right questions, good questions and ask them right away," she said. Chung attributed much of her success to her ability to adapt to change, her cross-disciplinary training and the courage she had to step out of the well-worn path of men before her. Armed with her knowledge in electrical engineering and material science, she said she was able to carve out her own unique niche. It takes a lot of "guts" to blaze a new trail, she said, but its rewards are so much greater.

"You must expect obstacles," she said. "You must push through them or you must detour, it's a judgment call…But you must get out of the box."

Although gender is not an excuse or a crutch, women must make an "extra effort, be extra good and determined," she said. "As good as a man is not good enough, you must be better than him." Women must not be intimidated even if they are one of only a few of their gender in a field, she said, and they must not be shy but extra confident.

"Forget about the issue of being a woman," Chung said. "The more you worry about that psychology [of being a woman in a male dominated field] the worse it becomes."

Chung was quick to point out that "the journey was not my design" but that God and his planning was responsible for much of her success. Professionals must not only be legal, or morally acceptable, but they must be honorable. "Think about things in a different light…you must allow God to design your life," she said.

By Heidi Neeley