Larry Chasteen, PhD
Professor
Stephen F Austin University, University of Texas at Dallas (UTD)

Educational path
Studied engineering at Southern Methodist University, then I went to Stanford graduate school for a PhD.

Special training for nanotechnology
I was in the Air Force and was sent to Vietnam. After I got out of the Air Force I worked for Texas Instruments (TI) in a lot of advanced technology programs. I also spent three years in Germany working for TI before moving onto Raytheon.

Tips/Advice to jumpstart a career in nanotechnology
A lot of it is networking; there is so much out there that is possible. In the Dallas area, there are three or four forums that you can get involved in pertaining to nanotechnology. At UTD they have got a really strong science and engineering department. I would also recommend getting education there or at least take part in the many conferences that they hold. And, if you are a businessman or entrepreneur, both the Dallas and Richardson Chambers of Commerce hold monthly meetings discussing the latest in nanotechnology. There is a lot of networking that can be done through the chamber and through the schools.

Why did you choose the field of nanotechnology?
I've always found it interesting because it's the next new thing.

How did you first get into nanotechnology?
I was involved in electronics as an engineer and I studied a lot of the telecoms in the Dallas area. I became interested in nanotechnology around that time as it became more and more prominent in my area of work.

What is it like to work in nanotechnology?
It takes a lot of work. As an example – you can get results in electronics in about six months, but with nanotechnology it can take up to six years. But even so, it is still very exciting.