Renée Gruner-Mitchell

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

I am a mechanical engineer for AUV Sentry. AUV Sentry is a deep-sea vehicle (rated to 6000-meter depth) that is a part of the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF). I design bracketry for the vehicle to mount various science-user equipment and I help maintain the vehicle. I also travel with the vehicle for operations work, which means I support at -sea science research by deploying, recovering, and maintaining the vehicle on boats for weeks at a time.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

In high school, I always enjoyed my math courses and the creativity that was needed to solve certain problems. I was interested in a career that would involve working with my hands and learning hard, technical skills. As a result, I studied mechanical and robotics engineering in college. Further, I was interested in pursuing a career in oceanographic robotics, because I have always loved the idea of exploring the unknown, and there is much to be discovered in our oceans.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

Before starting my career at WHOI, I had a summer internship with the AUV Sentry group. It was my first time gaining professional engineering experience. My coworkers support and encouragement during this internship had made me feel more confident that engineering was a field that I could be a part of because previously I had had a difficult time envisioning a future in engineering because I did not see myself represented in this field.

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

I feel very grateful that I have the opportunity to support a range of oceanographic science research. It allows me to learn about a variety of topics within the ocean sciences.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

This is my first career job. I am excited to see where it will lead me in the future.

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Concentration in Robotics Engineering - Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2022

What are your hobbies?

I love outdoor sports! This includes mountain biking, surfing, lead climbing, and backcountry hiking.

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

If you are interested in robotics engineering, I recommend seeking experiences that will allow you the opportunity for hands-on robotics projects. This includes various internships and university courses that have a focus on experiential learning.