Meet Purdue's Tanmaee Ledalla STEAM Sports Foundation Scholarship Recipient

Personal Profile:

Name: Tanmaee Ledalla

College: Purdue University – West Lafayette

Hometown: Hyderabad, India

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Aspirational Car: Corvette

10-Year Prediction in auto/motorsports: Autonomous motorsports will lead innovation in other engineering fields

What You May Not Know About Me: I love painting, reading, and know how to TIG weld!

Editor’s Note: Tanmaee was recently named one of seven Purdue Engineering Fellows. This prestigious award honors students for their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, positive relationships with peers and contributions to the Purdue Engineering community.

How did you get so interested in the auto/motorsports industry?

I always knew I wanted to be an engineer, but it was Formula 1 that inspired my love for motorsports. I loved learning how F1 cars were designed and optimized while taking so many factors into consideration. I was fascinated with the telemetry and analysis performed by race engineers on and off track. 

What automotive aspect interests you the most?

I am most interested in the design of high-performance cars and the intersection of art and engineering. A core memory of mine is visiting the Corvette Museum and being fascinated with the drawings and clay models that came to life. I am also intrigued by the control systems utilized in automotives.

How do you approach the challenges of being a minority engineering student in what has been traditionally a non-minority career path?

I take comfort in the fact that I am not alone. I consistently seek feedback and advice from other minorities facing similar challenges. I also founded a Women in Motorsports club at Purdue to connect and empower women interested in motorsports. In challenging moments, I shift the focus from my own troubles and gain perspective by being a pillar of support for others.

What would you like your first job/career opportunity to be?

I would love to work in research and development for an automotive company. I would like to receive guidance from experienced mentors and design high-performance cars.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

10 years from now, I see myself mentoring other women aspiring to work in the motorsports industry. I hope to have gained valuable technical and interpersonal skills that can be applied to all aspects of life. I will use experiences from a plethora of roles to be a wise and compassionate leader. I see myself contributing to the innovation and diversity in the automotive industry. 

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