This past summer, Antigoni Konstantinou, a PhD Candidate in the IMS Materials Science Program, spent her summer at GE Vernova’s Advanced Research Center in Niskayuna, NY — a company whose roots trace back to Thomas Edison! Working on generator and transformer insulation materials, Antigoni brought a background in materials science and expertise in high voltage insulation materials to a team tackling real industrial challenges in energy technology.
The summer was packed with unforgettable moments: running first-time high-potential tests up to 70kV, touring a generator manufacturing facility in downtown Schenectady, and sitting down one-on-one with researchers whose published papers Antigoni had studied long before meeting them in person.
What stood out most, though, were the people. Antigoni worked closely with mentors who were genuinely invested in her growth, offering guidance, encouragement, and the kind of support that turns a good internship into a great one. That mentorship didn’t just shape the experience — it shaped the research itself and reinforced her passion for materials science and its role in powering the future of energy.
By Antigoni Konstantinou