Catherine Knox

An engineering student with a passion for nuclear technology and aerospace

About Catherine Knox

Education

Catherine Knox is a mechanical engineering student interested in aerospace engineering and nuclear technology. She holds experience in additive manufacturing, machining, nuclear fusion engineering, and project management.

  • Vanderbilt University
    • Pursuing a BE in Mechanical Engineering
    • Minors: Digital fabrication, Chemistry
    • Expected Graduation: 2026

Interests

Catherine loves to travel to new countries. She has spent time volunteering in Peru, Africa, and filming a documentary in South East Asia. Catherine loves to backpack, surf, run, and participate in mixed martial arts. She loves yoga, meditation, and her colorful Cotopaxi backpack. Her favorite book is “In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey through the Bardos of Living and Dying” by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

Technical Skills - Hardware

Catherine can operate several 3D printers, machining tools, and welding equipment. Catherine is a teaching assistant for a machining class at Vanderbilt University. Catherine has experience with the following technologies:

  • Digital Fabrication Tools
    • Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
    • Resin 3D Printing
    • SLS Powder Printing in Nylon
  • Machining Tools
    • Lathes
    • Mill
    • Drill Press
  • Welding
    • Metal inert gas welding
    • Oxy-acetylene welding

Technical Skills - Software

Catherine has experience using the following software:

  • Fusion360
  • SolidWorks
  • MATLAB
  • OpenMC - Monte Carlo neutron transport code
  • LabVIEW

Research

Catherine was a part of the Nuclear Environmental Engineering Research Group (NEERG) from October 2023 to May 2024. She is awaiting author publication in “Consent-Based Siting and Management of Spent Nuclear Fuel in the United States: Body of Knowledge (BoK) for Practitioners” on the CRESP Consortium

Professional Skills

Catherine also has experience managing engineering organizations. She holds the role of Chief Executive Officer and Advanced Concept System Leader in the Vanderbilt Fusion Project. She also runs her own tutoring business named Cat’s Tutoring in which she tutors students at local Nashville High Schools and helps to set up other Vanderbilt students with a tutoring job. Catherine has had three professional internships in sustainable engineering, organic chemistry, and radioisotope power technology. Some of her specific professional skills include:

  • Organizational Management
  • Microsoft Suite
  • Google Suite
  • Sponsorship outreach
  • Advertising and Communications

Press

The Vanderbilt Fusion Project was covered in Vanderbilt Engineering News.