Nov. 17, 2025
In the latest installment of “Inside Mizzou Health Sciences,” we explore how two faculty members turned engineering foundations into successful academic careers.
Trent Guess, an associate professor with the Department of Physical Therapy, began his journey as an undecided college freshman who chose engineering almost by default.
After earning a master’s degree at Colorado State and working in the tech industry for seven years, he returned to school for a PhD at the University of Kansas. There, he discovered biomechanics while working on a knee simulator project — a turning point that led him to gait analysis research and eventually to Mizzou, where he established a gait lab in the Department of Physical Therapy.
“I kind of see this as a little island of engineering in a non-engineering environment; and it’s been very beneficial.” — Trent Guess
Shevon Harvey, a professor with the Department of Health Sciences, started her career inspired by a female astronaut who studied ceramic engineering. Harvey pursued materials science at Clemson University and worked in industrial engineering roles, troubleshooting and training workers on semiconductor and circuit board processes.
Volunteer work in Boston introduced her to public health, sparking a career shift. She earned an MPH and PhD, focusing on community health and behavior change, and entered academia through a postdoctoral program designed for community-engaged research.
“Doors opened along the way for me that allowed me to learn the nuances of higher education.” — Shevon Harvey
Both Harvey and Guess share how their engineering skills (systematic thinking, problem-solving and attention to detail) helped them succeed in academia. They speak about career transitions, research passions, adaptability and the value of interdisciplinary skills.
Listen to the full episode:
