Black voices in physics: Elaine Lalanne

This interview is part of PT‘s “Black voices in physics” series of Q&As with Black physicists.

Elaine Lalanne earned her BA in physics in 1994 at Wellesley College and her PhD in applied physics in 2003 at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). She used ultrashort laser pulses for materials characterization. For the past several years, she has worked as a contractor for NASA, building a tunable laser system for radiometric calibration.

PT: Why did you choose physics?

LALANNE: Initially I planned to major in math at Wellesley College, but when I realized the focus was on abstract math, I looked into economics. Then I took physics. I struggled with it, but my professor—a woman—encouraged me. She got me my first summer research job, in Raman spectroscopy.

During my senior year, I spent a semester at Spelman College. They didn’t have higher-level physics courses, so I took physics across the street at the men’s college, Morehouse. Being in the HBCU environment, and seeing the support the students had—it was the first time I was exposed to a significant number of Black physicists—there was a level of comfort because the students looked like me. And I had people who were willing to work with me. It was also my first time attending the National Society of Black Physicists’ annual conference.

After I graduated, I took a year off and worked at the New York State Psychiatric Institute as a research assistant on homeless people with mental illness. During that time I attended the National Conference of Black Physics Students. I met Anthony Johnson there. He recruited me to NJIT and became my thesis adviser.

PT: Describe your career since earning your PhD.

LALANNE: I followed Anthony to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and helped set up his lab there. I stayed for seven years, first as a postdoc and then as a research scientist. Then I realized that to have my own identity, I would have to leave. I worked at the Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland, where I used lasers for underwater acoustics research. Now I am a contractor at NASA. I’m still the only Black woman, and the only woman, in the group. My area of expertise is male dominated.

PT: What barriers have you faced as a Black woman physicist?

LALANNE: Everywhere I have gone, I’ve had to prove myself again. I’ve seen white men who have just graduated with a PhD have a red carpet rolled out for them. You see them get ahead faster. Another barrier is that it’s harder, as a Black scientist, to build up a network. In general I haven’t had the same access that my peers have had.

PT: Have you seen changes over time?

LALANNE: Yes. There are a lot more Black women going to graduate school now, but not necessarily in my field. There is a community, and we can find each other. But we are still rare.

Also, HBCUs used to produce a large number of bachelor’s degrees in physics, and now they are suffering.

PT: What do you think could help?

LALANNE: Expose students [to physics] early, from high school. Get them involved in summer research, and expose them to what you can do with a physics degree. Give them travel grants to go to conferences, help them network. Formalize the support system.

The National Society of Black Physicists—I am on the board as treasurer—is doing a lot to increase the numbers and being more involved in college experiences. And its involvement makes a difference. We provide professional development and bring people together with recruiters.