Olivia Paige Dotson, PhD •  Molecular Engineer

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I am a

molecular Engineer

Olivia Paige Dotson, PhD

Presented by Superhuman Body + IF/THEN
MY PATH

How I became an advocate, Vegan Baker, and Molecular Engineer.

MAJOR INFLUENCES

  • Creative Interests

    My creative pusruits—like musical theater, baking, and dance—have shaped the way I approach science, teaching me to think outside the box, embrace failure, and find joy in the process of experimentation.

  • My Parents

    Both of my parents are chemists, so science was always around me growing up. They never pushed me into it, but I absorbed a lot just by being in that environment. I think their work ethic and curiosity really stuck with me.

  • Advocates

    Along the way, I’ve had professors and mentors who believed in me, even when I wasn’t sure I belonged in STEM. Their encouragement helped me realize that I could find my own place in this field.

  • Working with Kids

    I learn a lot from my mentoring and outreach work. Ironically, I’ve found my work with kids has helped me become a better mentee with the professors heading my research projects!

There’s joy in figuring things out.

For me, the real joy is in the process—trying, failing, and trying again until something finally works. Whether I’m troubleshooting an experiment or experimenting with a new recipe, it’s that moment when things click that keeps me going. Failure isn’t the end; it’s part of the puzzle. Each time something doesn’t work, it’s a chance to learn, adjust, and get closer to figuring it out. That’s where the fun happens.

Major Milestones

Science Fairs

My parents took my sister and I to a lot of science fairs as kids. They encouraged us to bring our own ideas. That was the first time I ever conducted experiments.

Math + Science = Engineering

My mom made a comment about how my love for science and math made me a natural fit for engineering. It made me curious to learn more about what that could look like.

Getting a BS at University of Michigan

My lab work in college helped me narrow down my field of interest to chemical engineering, and then, ultimately, bioengineering. I like the real world impact this work could have on people’s health.

Pursing a PhD at University of Washington

I landed in a relatively new field which is both exciting and comes with it’s own challenges, but I’m inspired by what’s possible.

Things I learned

along the way:

  • Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak. Advocating for yourself is powerful.

    The testing anxiety I felt during school was unfamiliar and overwhelming. I felt ashamed to ask for and accept help. Taking care of your mental health is a priority. Don't focus on what society says about what you’re dealing with. Focus on getting the help you need to overcome it.

  • It's OK to change your mind.

    I didn’t have a crystal clear plan for what I wanted to do from a young age. I let things evolve and shape shift as I learned more about the options and myself. I’m still in the middle of that process, and will always give myself permission to chase my curiosities.

  • You have to put yourself first.

    I realized the hard way how important my mental health and well being are, even in a tough field. I focused on finding outlets that give me energy and communities I can relate to. It’s important to be proactive to avoid burnout.

  • Community and represenation can make a real difference.

    It’s easy to feel isolated in this field, but building connections has been key for me. Whether it’s through mentors, students, or peers, community makes the work meaningful. And seeing someone who looks like you doing the work can change everything. That’s why I make it a point to show up for students and communities that might not see themselves in STEM yet.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Jamison Weeks • Illustrator: Morgane Mlynarski

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