Betty Lin | MSE 0T3, MASc 0T5, PEng, PMP
Lead Engineer & Project Manager, Backfill Systems Group, Mining & Mineral Processing, Hatch
- U of T Arbor Award recipient, 2014
- Alumni Co-Chair, MSE100 Centennial Steering Committee, 2012–2013
- Co-President, MSE Graduate Students’ Association (MSEGSA), 2004–2005
- Vice-President, MSE Club, 2002–2003
“I was very fortunate to be surrounded by a group of genuine, fun, and dedicated people during my time in MSE. The professors here are very supportive when it comes to helping students through a variety of questions they have with course work,” says Betty. “Outside of the classroom, I’ve made some really great friends. Going through and sharing the challenges of engineering school with classmates have allowed me to build lifetime friendships and bonds with my peers.”
Betty attributes the interdisciplinary field of materials engineering as a key enabling area of the applied sciences. “In MSE, you are provided with a background that allows you to understand and manipulate the structure and fundamental properties of a range of engineering materials at a molecular and atomic-scale, and then relate them to their macroscopic properties,” says Betty. “Advances in materials synthesis allow for the creation of new products and technologies with distinct desired properties, which enables other disciplines to apply these results to a range of applications.”
“Engineers with a sound technical background coupled with soft skills will excel in any industry. They are in demand because of their analytical and problem solving skills – skills that are transferable and can be applied to almost anywhere you want.”
An education in MSE opened many doors for Betty. Upon graduation, she was offered careers in engineering consulting and business management. But before she returned to the engineering field, Betty served in a key role as an ambassador for Materials Science & Engineering, acting as the Department’s Liaison Officer from 2005–2008. As Liaison Officer, Betty spearheaded initiatives ranging from student recruitment and outreach, communications, as well as alumni and industry relations on behalf of the Department.
Today, Betty is the Manager of the Backfill Systems Group at Hatch. Operating within the Mining division, her management role involves leading a team in the planning, organizing, and oversight of resources to successfully complete objectives of the projects. Betty also takes on the lead role in materials testing for tailing applications and the design of waste disposal plants. These plants provide treatment of matter that remains after valuable components are extracted from mine ores, minimizing the industry’s overall storage of waste material on surface.
“Engineers with a sound technical background coupled with soft skills will excel in any industry,” says Betty. “They are in demand because of their analytical and problem solving skills – skills that are transferable and can be applied to almost anywhere that you want.”
Born in Taiwan and raised in Costa Rica, Betty has quite the travel bug in her – she has already visited five continents and is looking to conquer her 6th one (Australia). Betty is also an avid athlete; she plays volleyball and golf during the summer and enjoys snowboarding in the winter.
Learn more about Betty and other MSE alumnae in Impact, Vol. II, 2012: “Women of MSE: Generation of Trailblazers.”