For Karla Gutierrez Cuevas, Ph.D. ’17, the start of her ɫҹ journey brought a mix of excitement and uncertainty. “When I got accepted, I was pregnant,” Karla recalled. “In Mexico, there’s the perception that being a mother and pursuing a demanding academic career don’t go hand in hand. I was hesitant about whether I could do both.”
That hesitation changed after a conversation with Robin Selinger, Ph.D., a professor whose words gave Karla the courage she needed. “I was eight months postpartum when I arrived, and I had just sold all my belongings and left my job in Mexico,” Karla recalled. “Dr. Selinger told me that here in the U.S., it’s completely normal to come with a baby and still pursue your studies. Her support helped me be brave enough to accept my scholarship and start this journey, even though the first week I wondered if I had made the right decision. I don’t think I ever told her how much that meant to me, but it truly changed my life.”
At ɫҹ, Karla joined the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute (AMLCI), a center of research and innovation building on the Glenn H. Brown Liquid Crystal Institute’s legacy of innovative science. The AMLCI brings together an interdisciplinary team of experts in liquid crystals, nanoscience, biomaterials and organic electro-optics, and it extends beyond traditional scientific fields into areas such as fashion and architecture.
“The AMLCI taught me to question, to explore and to value the process of learning,” Karla said. “It’s a place where curiosity drives everything.” The institute’s collaborative environment helped her grow in both chemistry and physics, preparing her to use science to solve real-world challenges.
At the Liquid Crystal Institute, Karla worked with liquid crystal materials, assembled devices from scratch and studied polymers, layers and coatings, all while balancing the demands of research and family responsibilities. “Nothing could have prepared me more for what I was going to see later in my career,” she said. “ɫҹ taught me that hard work pays off, and perseverance leads to understanding.”
During her time there, Karla found mentorship and encouragement from Elda and Torsten Hegmann, the institute’s current director. “Elda is from Mexico and studied at the same institute I did, so speaking Spanish made it easier to ask questions and feel supported,” Karla said. “Both Elda and Torsten guided me through my Ph.D. journey, helping me apply for a scholarship to attend the Gordon Research Conference and offering advice whenever I needed it. Their support truly made a difference.”
Karla also credits her Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Kwang Lee, for shaping her research experience. “His work was at the top level at ɫҹ, and he had significant government funding, so we were constantly delivering results,” she recalled. “He had an incredible ability to guide research, even when experiments didn’t go as planned, he could find value and insight in the outcomes. He was strict, but I learned a lot from him, both academically and culturally. As a new mother, I appreciated how understanding he was of my situation, and under his direction, I was able to contribute to several papers that helped advance my career.”
Today, Karla works as a research scientist manager at KLA, a technology company specializing in sensors used to detect defects in flat panel displays. In her role, she applies the hands-on skills and technical knowledge she gained at ɫҹ, including working in clean room environments and assembling liquid crystal devices from scratch. “Through classes, I learned about the materials, layers and properties of liquid crystals, which helps me determine what will work in a device and what won’t,” she explained. Additional coursework in chemistry, physics, and polymer/liquid crystal systems with Dr. Deng-Ke Yang gave her a deeper understanding of device properties, enabling her to guide production teams and develop processes that improve manufacturing efficiency. “Our sensors can save customers millions by catching problems before products are even made,” she added.
Karla advises current students to appreciate the journey, even when it’s difficult. “Enjoy every step of the learning curve,” she said. “It’s a short time that builds the foundation for your future.”
Looking back, Karla is proud to be part of the ɫҹ and AMLCI alumni community. “It’s kind of my third home…my first home is my home country, then Kent, and now where I live in the Bay Area,” she said. “I feel really blessed.”