“Ph.D. to be” Jessica Engineers an Exciting Titans Cheerleaders Rookie Season

Rookie Tennessee Titans Cheerleader Jessica decided to try out for the squad because “things kind of slowed down” in her life and she had some extra time. Yeah, she is just working on her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Vanderbilt, that’s all, so not much going on with Jessica. Luckily for Titan fans, time management is just one of Jessica’s many outstanding qualities, so they can get the chance to see her perform on the LP Field sidelines. Jessica grew up with severe asthma, so may not have seemed destined for high energy dancing on the NFL sidelines, but add an adventurous spirit and an extremely curious mind, and anything and everything is possible. Charming and humble, Jessica has already accomplished so much, but one gets a sense that the sky is the limit for this talented young woman. Jessica graciously spent time with UltimateCheerleaders to fill us in on her strong family bonds, the reaction of being a Titans Cheerleader from her co-workers, and how titrating some dance into her life can provide solutions in her scientific research.

Like many of the Titans Cheerleaders, Nashville is Jessica’s adopted home. “I was born in Jacksonville, Florida,” Jessica informs. “My family moved to Huntsville, Alabama when I was three years old.” Engineering runs in Jessica’s family, as her dad is an electrical engineer who works for the US government.

Jessica was drawn to science as a young girl, as Jessica explains, “The elementary and middle school I attended focused on science and research. My ‘ever inquiring mind,’ as described by my family, was always involved with a research project or competition. I enjoyed being able to pose a question and perform research and experiments, which would provide information to answer the question posed. I knew from an early age that I wanted to participate in something in the science arena, however it was not engineering.”

Her independent spirit lead her to personal and academic growth, as Jessica recalls, “One of my favorite childhood memories would have to be moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico during my last summer in high school. My first summer away from home totally on my own, I completed my first research project improving various chemistry analytical methods. The work, the process, the friends I made, and being away from home really contributed to who I am today.”

Jessica’s first career goals were influenced by personal experience. “I desired to go into the medical field, specifically pediatric pulmonology. Having grown up with severe asthma, I was determined to produce a ‘disease changing drug,’” Jessica says smiling. “I wanted to major in Engineering because I knew that it would help me develop the critical thinking skills necessary to become a successful physician or medical researcher. After completing my first semester, I started working with a professor in her research lab, she took me in as her mentee and a whole new world of engineering research was opened up to me.”

Nashville was the place where Jessica took this step of taking her academic career to the next level, explaining, “I moved to Nashville, Tennessee right out of high school to attend Vanderbilt University. At Vanderbilt I completed my undergraduate degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and my Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering, both in (a total of) four years. I am now in the second year of Vanderbilt’s Chemical Engineering Doctoral Program.”

Jessica’s research for her chemical engineering doctoral degree is simulation based, in which she creates thermodynamic data that can be used to understand and develop processes. “I work in the modeling and simulations discipline of chemical engineering specifically with an equation of state called the Statistical Associating Fluid Theory, SAFT equation,” Jessica explains. “The SAFT equation is used to develop chemical equilibrium data for molecules that can be used for a large number of applications in different research fields including medicine, industry and the environment.”

Her simulation based work allows Jessica to perform her research and play to her strengths. “I don’t work in a ‘lab’ lab, which I love because I am kind of clumsy,” laughs Jessica. “I have had accidents like wasting the solution on my hand. I am just really bad, I need to be on a computer where the most I can do is spill a drink on my keyboard.”

And although a bad day at the lab doesn’t involve broken glassware or lab hoods going ka-boom, things still do not always go swimmingly in simulation based research. “It is not an uncommon event for an experiment I am working on to ‘go wrong,’” Jessica relates, “However, the great thing about working in a computer simulations laboratory is that it doesn’t take anything but time and computational power to either run the analysis again or press the delete button.”

Adding the Titans Cheerleaders to Jessica’s task list was something she always hoped to try. “I always wanted to do it,” says Jessica. “Throughout undergrad, I was extremely busy because I did both (B.S. and M.S.) degrees, plus other things I was doing. I just didn’t have time to do it. Then things kind of slowed down, after finishing coursework.”

So as one would expect from someone with an analytical mind, Jessica did not begin the process of trying out for the Titans Cheerleaders without some preparation and mentoring. “I prepared for tryouts by attending weekly dance classes and working with some of the Tennessee Titans Cheer Alumni,” Jessica says. “I started about four months prior to tryouts. I didn’t have a lot of dance experience, so I knew that was something I had to overcome. The preliminary try-outs were extremely nerve racking, we learned a short routine and a kick line and had about twenty minutes to perfect it before we performed in front of the judges. During the final auditions I had a blast; we were able to perform a routine together as a team as well as a solo routine. I was a little nervous about the solo, however my adrenaline kicked in and it was over almost TOO soon. I met a lot of sweet and friendly girls which made the process that much more exciting.”

In the end, was Jessica surprised that she made the squad? “Yes,” remembers Jessica, “(Stacie) said my name and I was one of the last people called, and I did not go out right away. Other people asked, ‘Why didn’t you come out right away?’ but my initial reaction was, ‘Oh, Jessica, that IS me!’”

What do Jessica’s grad school faculty and friends think about her being on the sidelines with the Titans? Jessica replies, “All of my friends, family, and coworkers are ecstatic about me having the opportunity to cheer for the Titans. Many of them who were already huge fans of the team were excited to be able to see me on the field; those who didn’t follow football or the Tennessee Titans closely, are now becoming fans as well.”

Between attending Vandy and being part of the Titans organization, Jessica’s life in Nashville is varied and stimulating, and she has become part of tight-knit groups in a city known for being friendly and helpful to strangers. Has Jessica ever encountered Nashville’s famous kindness to strangers in distress? Jessica answers, “Absolutely, just last winter during one of the heavy snow storms, my friend picked me up late from work after the streets had gotten slippery, and of course the car slid off the road twice and each time groups of Nashville’s finest citizens left their vehicles and pushed and pulled us back on the road and waved us on our way. I was really moved and I agree, the people of Nashville are very helpful and friendly to strangers.”

As a rookie Titans Cheerleader, Jessica embraces the opportunity to be a role model as part of her responsibilities. As far as biggest role models that have been influential for Jessica’s life, she points to two people close to her heart, saying, “My parents are definitely my biggest role models. They have always supported me in whatever endeavor I have decided to take on, whether it is attending a research seminar where I am presenting or helping me pick out the perfect outfit for Tennessee Titans Cheer auditions, whatever event it is I can count on their support.”

With Jessica’s life now centered in Nashville, what does she miss about her hometown in Alabama? Jessica responds, “That’s easy, family and friends. I am very close with my younger brother, mother and father. Huntsville and Nashville are close enough that we are able to visit almost every weekend, even now.” But Jessica also likes her current home, saying, “Nashville is of course much larger and faster than Huntsville, so of course there is so much more to do here. I love community events, especially the community events I am able to do with the team.”

Jessica spoke to UltimateCheerleaders prior to the Titans home game on October 23rd against the Texans. A few games into the season, Jessica’s nervousness is dissipating compared to the first pre-season game, “The first game, I was so nervous.” Though game days are quite long, the time absolutely flies by to Jessica. And it was a special day because Jessica’s dad could finally see her cheer in person, because he had been on a nine month work assignment in Asia. Because her mom was at try-outs, Jessica’s dad was the first person that she called to tell the news that she made the team. “He was really excited,” Jessica recalls, “He said, ‘Now I can go to all of the games.’”

With her opportunity to add dance to the mix of her life’s activities, are Jessica’s scientific endeavors assisted because she maximize both sides of her talents? Jessica responds, “A definite benefit of participating in both the arts and science side of my passions is that I am able to stay balanced. After a long unproductive day at the lab, I am able to get out a lot of frustration and take my mind completely off anything related to science. This is sometimes just what I need to get that ‘breakthrough.’ Because my two passions differ so greatly, I never grow tired or bored with either, keeps life interesting.”

Titans Cheerleaders Director Stacie Kinder is impressed with Jessica in every way. “Jessica is incredibly smart and beautiful, a combination that can sometimes be surprising!” Stacie says. “I’m honored that she chose to add ‘Titans Cheerleader’ to her list of attributes this year. She’s able to manage her time well between giving her research enough time, yet still being able to be on-point at our rehearsals.”

When Jessica spoke to UltimateCheerleaders, the next home game was going to be the Halloween game, and Jessica’s costume was a fairy. But make no mistake; no magic wand brought Jessica to this point in her life. Intelligence, curiosity, time management skills, and an engaging spirit are part of what makes Jessica a success in all she does. Perhaps, Jessica’s next costume should be to dress up as a proton, to display her complete positivity and ability to keep negative energy away at arm’s length.

Thanks SO MUCH to Jessica for allowing UltimateCheerleaders to learn about her life, so far. We also thank thank thank Stacie, and Titans media staff Robbie Bohren and Alex Garmezy for all of their assistance. Here are some more photos of Jessica from the October 23rd game: