Dr. Michelle Pantoya is a scientist, educator, and storyteller whose work blends advanced combustion research with a deep passion for inspiring the next generation. In her conversation with SmarterUmedia host Steve Lipscomb, she emphasized that curiosity is a skill that can be practiced not just a personality trait. In her laboratory, students learn to question deeply, document their thinking, collaborate, and approach problems creatively rather than relying on memorization. Her research on metal fuels such as aluminum and boron tiny particles capable of releasing tremendous energy has major implications for hypersonic travel, space propulsion, and sustainable energy innovation. At the same time, Dr. Pantoya is committed to building a lab culture that values critical thinking, continuous improvement, and hands-on exploration.

Beyond her scientific work, Dr. Pantoya extends her passion for STEM through children’s books like Engineering Elephants, designed to introduce young readers, especially girls to engineering concepts through the design process of asking, imagining, planning, creating, and improving. She also shared her entrepreneurial journey of building a 4,000-square-foot combustion research facility, a project that required vision, resilience, and the mindset of a leader willing to take risks. Whether she’s studying advanced fuels, mentoring future engineers, or sparking curiosity in children, Dr. Pantoya’s message remains consistent: stay curious, keep asking questions, and never stop learning.