Without further ado, let's meet Amanda Phalin
•What is your name?
–Amanda Phalin
•Describe your research.
–I look at how solar energy is used in
poorer countries, and how people who invent new types of solar energy products
can protect their inventions. The fancy name for protecting inventions is
called “intellectual property rights.”
•How did you get interested in what you
are researching?
–I have always been interested in two
things: how new ideas and technologies are created and spread, and the
environment. My work combines both.
•How did you get to where you are today?
–It took me a long time! I started out
going to school in economics, but I decided to be a journalist for about 10
years. I got tired of that, so I decided to go back to school and finish my
studies in economics.
•What hobbies do you have?
–I am a brand new mom, so my hobby is
hanging out with my husband and baby!
•Do you have any funny stories from when
you were a young economist?
–My first economics teacher was bald. We
all went away for spring break, and when we came back from vacation, he was
wearing a toupee– a wig for men! He looked so silly that the whole class could
barely keep from laughing, and even though he tried to teach, no one could pay
attention. He never wore the wig again!
•What were some of your favorite
activities as a kid?
–I was very involved in our local theater,
and I loved acting and singing.
•Do you have any advice for the next
generation?
–Don’t worry if you are not perfect or
don’t make straight A’s. The important thing is to work as hard as you can and
find something that you love to study!
