Being Xaverian - Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

ALUMNI TODAY
Good Counsel students
will head to college with
a strong foundation, as I
did — I especially hope
that women graduates
will take a good look
at all the opportunities
open to them.
Dr. Mitra L. Taheri ’97
“Most of my classmates may remember me for jumping out of the window into the
courtyard my freshman year at Good Counsel,” shares Mitra Taheri ’97. Perhaps she didn’t
receive the Senior Superlative for “most likely to succeed” in 1997, but now the Hoeganaes
Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Assistant Dean for Research
of Graduate Studies at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Taheri is certainly making
her mark. Mitra received all of her degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, where she
dabbled around until she found the right niche for herself in materials science and
engineering. For her, it was a perfect combination of chemistry and physics.
“Two GC science teachers, Mrs. Nichols and Mr. Green, had a strong influence on my career
focus,” she explained. “I guess you could say that running track at Good Counsel had
something to do with my decision, too, since one of the things that drew me to my field
was the ability to design new materials for sports equipment. I had this grand idea of
designing my own running shoes!”
Although she’s not designing shoes in her current position, she finds the work challenging
and exciting. “In my position, you can have an idea, get a grant to work on it, patent that
idea and eventually see it through as a developing technology.” She also is passionate
about her interactions with her students. “To help a student realize his or her dreams, work
on an exciting problem, and to mentor that student, is very rewarding. I try to remind my
students that their contributions can make a difference in the world, and no matter what,
they should find a career that makes them happy and brings out their passion.”
Right now Dr. Taheri is focused on energy production technology (nuclear, wind, solar),
electric and lightweight vehicles and ships, electronic materials and biomaterials. She
admits that it is hard work, but she feels that she is contributing to society. She is married
to Dr. Peter DeCarlo who is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Environmental
Engineering at Drexel and focuses his research on air quality and climate change.
“Good Counsel students will head to college with a strong foundation, as I did,” she adds.
“I especially hope that women graduates will take a good look at all of the opportunities
open to them. I would be lying if I said that my gender was not an obstacle as I pursued
my career (and will continue to be one). But with each step I take, I know that I have
achieved something not just for me, but for all women.” ✦
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