Kathryn Ashby completed a service trip to Cebu City, Philippines where she taught engineering lessons and helped install a water purification system. She then interned at GE Aviation developing additive manufacturing processes for jet engine parts. During her internship, she worked towards her private pilot's license, gaining flight experience across several states. Now she has a job at a startup focused on additive manufacturing software and plans to obtain more pilot certifications.

1. UofL Design and Print
UofL Design and Print
Up, Up, and Away: A Three Part Project
Kathryn L. Ashby, University of Louisville Class of 2016
Cebu
Last December I traveled to Cebu City,
Philippines for ten days with a
multidisciplinary group of students as part
of the International Service Learning
Program. While there, I spent time teaching
lessons to students about engineering
topics, worked in a dental clinic, and
assisted with other group lessons. In
addition to teaching, we installed an M100
water purification device from Waterstep in
the Paril National High School and trained
community members on system operation.
This experience helped me realize the
importance of developing clean water
sources globally.
Introduction
For me, the last year has been nothing short
of an adventure. Along the way, my
research, learning, and service were all
centered around my love of aviation.
Beginning in December, I took a service trip
to Cebu City, Philippines as part of UL’s
International Service Learning Program.
Shortly after I returned, I moved to
Cincinnati and began working for GE
Aviation’s Additive Lean Lab developing the
first engine critical additively manufactured
part. While in Cincinnati, I began working
on my private pilot’s License and am
currently in the final stage of completion.
GE Aviation
The anchor of this experience was an eight month co-op at GE Aviation’s Additive
Lean Lab where I performed research and developed manufacturing methods for
the LEAP Fuel Nozzle. This part is pioneering large scale manufacturing of Metal
Additive Technologies with a new production facility in Auburn, Alabama, opening
next year. My role was to assist in developing the processes and methods used to
manufacture Additive parts. My focal project was the Optimization of Reentrant
Surface Parameters for Direct Metal Laser Melting. I was fortunate to have the
opportunity to present my work on GE’s behalf to both academia and industry at
the 25th Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium in Austin, TX.
Flight
While I was on co-op, I spent my spare time working on my private pilot’s License.
Having always been fascinated with aviation, I have truly enjoyed the experience
of taking flight on my own. During my flight training, I have spent many hours
flying both night and day cross countries throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.
The coolest of which was getting to fly over both the Louisville and Cincinnati
skylines at night. Additionally, I took my flight training one step further and went
skydiving. In the next few weeks, I will be taking my final flight exam to become a
licensed Private Pilot and I will begin logging cross country hours to pursue my
Instrument Flight Certification.
Next Steps
These adventures have served as a springboard for my next journey. I recently
accepted a part time job as an Applications Engineer at 3DSIM, a Louisville based
startup company that focuses on software solutions for the Additive
Manufacturing industry. This November I will be traveling to Europe to represent
them at EUR0MOLD which is a premier trade show for several manufacturing
technologies. Additionally, I am pursuing additional pilot ratings to further
expand my knowledge of aviation.