Linh Mai Vu | Student Spotlight

Linh Mai Vu

MS Candidate
Materials Science and Engineering

"Myself from two years ago wouldn’t believe the path I’ve taken or the progress I’ve made."

Attending Stanford has been a life-changing experience. It opened doors to incredible opportunities that constantly push me to grow, especially in developing technical skills. One highlight was my internship at Intel, where I worked on improving PECVD dielectric film adhesion and created a metrology workflow for evaluating low-k materials. Building on that, I’m now interning at the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility, running ALD experiments and constructing digital twins to better understand thin film processes.

Before Stanford, I focused on modeling mechanical behavior of metals through research at the University of Rochester and internships at Commonwealth Fusion Systems. Shifting from computational materials to hands-on nanofabrication was a steep learning curve but deeply rewarding. I’m incredibly grateful to the Stanford MSE community for the inspiration, mentorship, and support that helped me navigate this transition.

Community has always been at the heart of what I do. I love teaching and helping others build confidence in their abilities. I’ve been a Teaching Assistant for multiple classes at both Stanford and Rochester. I’m also involved in the Stanford chapter of the Materials Research Society as the Professional Development Co-Chair and Chair of the Art of Science Exhibition, which lets me combine my passions for science, creativity, and outreach.

Myself from two years ago wouldn’t believe the path I’ve taken or the progress I’ve made. I’m truly thankful to the people I’ve met at Stanford and in the MSE department! Your support and encouragement have shaped not just my academic journey, but also who I am today.