Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Kirsten Riley Headshot

 

How did you choose the University of Iowa?  

I have been a Hawkeye fan my whole life! For college, I was looking for a smaller engineering program that focused on student success. 

Describe your career path and the work you are currently doing. 

I've worked for the same company since graduation. I've worked at 4 different locations in 3 states and traveled around the world over my 25 years with Bayer. I started as a project engineer, spent several years doing process engineering, then led manufacturing teams of increasing size and complexity. In the middle, I've worked in several global functions, including Quality, Supply Chain Management, and Program Management; and supporting functions like HSE and Waste Treatment and Utilities operations. I've valued the breadth of experience I've gained in my career. 

How did the CBE Department prepare you for your career? 

The department has a strong focus on ensuring we have the tools to be successful engineers. I think the Process Safety course I took with Dr. Murhammer was incredibly valuable to prepare me to look at all operations I've supported holistically. 

What advice would you want to share with current or future ChemE students? 

Your education at the University of Iowa is just the beginning - you'll be learning every day! Make sure you take time to enjoy the experiences you have along the way.