Marie Baxter

Marie Baxter, Project Engineer at the Royce Translational Centre (RTC), Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Advanced Manufacturing Group.

Marie began her Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) career as a technician in the Microscopy Laboratory before becoming a Project Engineer in Additive Manufacturing. 

Marie delivers projects focused on advanced manufacturing technologies, specialising in laser powder bed fusion - a technique that produces lightweight parts and intricate designs for use in a variety of industries including medical and aerospace. 

Alongside her work at the RTC, Marie visits local primary schools to share more about what a career in engineering can involve and the possibilities that are there for young people to explore.

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Marie shares more about her work at the Royce Translational Centre and the impact she hopes this will have and the importance of the representation of women in engineering: 

“I deliver projects that are focused on advanced manufacturing technologies, and I specialise in laser powder bed fusion. It is a technique that produces lightweight parts and intricate designs for use in a variety of industries including medical and aerospace. 

“This is a relatively new manufacturing technique, it allows us to deliver complex geometries that often are not possible when using other techniques. There’s a lot to learn in this space, there is a growing interest as there are many advantages to using this process. 

“As part of my PhD, I’m looking at additive manufacturing and powder feedstock. This manufacturing method is comparatively expensive so I’m exploring ways in which we can bring that cost down, to maximise the use of the materials that are made from the manufacturing of the powder and ultimately reduce the number of steps and the energy consumed. I’ve never been someone who thought they could change the world but if I could have a positive impact on the corner of the world I work in that would be wonderful. 

“Alongside my work, my colleague and I go into local primary schools to share more about the world of engineering and what a career in engineering can look like. For me, this outreach work is about changing the perception of what a job in engineering looks like.

There are many great women that work in engineering, however, sometimes there is a lack of visibility – growing up, I was not aware that a career in engineering could be possible. Hopefully, by going into schools we might help young people be more aware of other routes that turn out to interest them.

“None of what I do would be feasible without my team and fellow colleagues, I’m very lucky to be working with some great people here at the University.” 

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Thank you to all the women for taking the time to share their stories and reflections and for providing the information featured on these web pages.