FA: How did you become interested in aerospace engineering?

WG: The process started at a very young age, in 2003 to be exact, when the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the earth’s atmosphere. From then on, I wanted to be part of the generation to work on future improvements to the vehicle’s design to prevent human tragedy.

I attended a high school that specialized in tech and computer science, so I had a rough idea of what it took to become an engineer. Then, of course, I enrolled in aerospace studies at Ryerson; that’s when my journey officially began.

FA: Can you talk about your research interest(s) and what excites you the most about your work?

WG: In undergrad, I specialized in avionics and control systems. Building on that specialization, my master’s, and Ph.D. research – a joint initiative with Bombardier and Ryerson – is on cabin noise control. The general topic is reconfigurable cabin interiors, and with the support of my supervisor Dr. Xi, we are developing what’s called a smart cabin. It combines innovative technologies and a cabin management system that brings together an immersive experience for passengers, empowering them to manage the overall aircraft cabin environment. My research focuses on reducing aircraft cabin noise at the passenger level using what’s called an integrated active noise control system.

What excites me the most about my research is telling people that I work on a contactless sound comfort system that eliminates the need to wear bulky noise-cancelling headphones during a flight. Even though my research is of the future, it can become commonplace and expected in every aircraft. I also find it rewarding when research becomes a reality.

“What excites me the most about my research is telling people that I work on a contactless sound comfort system that eliminates the need to wear bulky noise-cancelling headphones during a flight,” Wintta says. “They are always amazed when I tell them that it could be commonplace and expected in every aircraft in the near future.”

FA: What is it like to work at the Downsview facility? What do you think is the potential future development of the Downsview Innovation Centre?

WG: The Ryerson Aerospace Engineering Centre (RAEC) building within the Downsview Innovation and Research (DAIR) hub is home to the cabin interior technology group, which I have had the privilege of being a part of. Due to this unique co-location with other professionals from different backgrounds, skills, and talents, I get to work with industry leaders who are genuinely interested in what we do. On the technical side, Ryerson is always there to support us researchers.

I have been at the Downsview site since its kickoff in 2018 and saw it grow over the years. It’s great to see the site progressively improving. I enjoy the facility and am very grateful for my time here.

Looking towards the future, connecting people with the faces behind the facility and showcasing our work will be essential. These connections go beyond a single organization; they span all universities and colleges that work within DAIR. Sharing our knowledge and pooling our research capacity will be increasingly crucial to the future of the Canadian aerospace industry.

Creating communities where aerospace R&D meets innovation that isn’t confined to a single organization, but spans Ontario and Canada is a good step forward. If there are more places where aerospace can thrive, like the Downsview facility, that could even mean more collaboration for the future.

“Expanding places such as the DAIR site where aerospace R&D can thrive that isn’t confined to a single organization, but spans Ontario and Canada is great for growing the field. More places where aerospace can prosper will result in more collaboration for the future.”

WG: DAIR’s mission of creating collaborative environments resonates well with my hopes of interacting with scholars and industry reps in the Canadian aerospace and acoustics communities. But, for collaboration to be at its best, inclusive spaces need to be created. I recently learned that diversity is a fact, whereas inclusion is a choice. We can all foster inclusivity, and how we react to spaces that are not as inclusive as they could be is equally important. For DAIR to realize its mission of collaboration to the fullest, upholding inclusivity needs to be a crucial component.

Openly listening to what others have to say and valuing their input is a choice. And this is where strong leadership is essential. I have been fortunate enough to work with people like Dr. Walsh whose leadership has made me feel welcome and heard.

While being a strong advocate for collaboration in aerospace R&D, Wintta stresses that “for collaboration to be at its best, inclusive spaces need to be created.”

FA: Do you have any advice for young people who may be considering STEM careers/study options?

WG: The first piece of advice would be to start early! Ryerson’s FEAS programming has summer camps and outreach events dedicated to young people. It was my curiosity that fuelled an early interest in aerospace. If you find that you’re drawn to something in science or engineering, don’t shy away from it. Explore it further because you may find something that you like. Engineering has historically been male dominated, but there are no limits to what women can do in aerospace. If you see something that you’re interested in, go for it! The world needs more engineers, especially more women engineers