Meet Eurydice “Eury” Kanimba, PhD: “To me, the ‘P’ in PhD stands for problem-solver – because I’m a mechanical engineer.”
Dr. Kanimba has overcome significant adversity in her life to complete her education with the support of three ASME scholarships and embark on a successful career in engineering. Today, she is a Systems Thermal Engineer at AMD, specializing in predictive modeling, artificial intelligence hardware, and semiconductor cooling technologies.
A passionate advocate for diversity in STEM, she has dedicated her career to inspiring and mentoring future engineers while advancing innovation. In June of 2026, Dr. Kanimba came full circle in her journey, joining the ASME Foundation Philanthropy Committee. In this role, she supports fundraising and initiatives for education, career development, and global and social innovation.
Born the year before genocide ravaged her home country of Rwanda, Dr. Kanimba wanted something better for herself and her family. She could barely speak English when she came to the U.S. to study mechanical engineering, but she soon found a home with the ASME student chapter at Midwestern State University in Texas, where she served as the chapter’s president, vice president, and secretary. Dr. Kanimba received her first ASME scholarship as an undergraduate student.
“My parents at the time were supporting five of us, so it was a lot on their shoulders. When I told them I was awarded that (scholarship), they were amazed and very thankful for sure… I was awarded two more ASME scholarships in graduate school. That keeps you going, knowing that there’s an organization that cares about what you’re doing and the work you put in. It gives you courage and you feel much more hopeful.”
Dr. Kanimba earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Midwestern State University in 2015 and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech University in 2019. While attending an engineering conference just before graduation, Dr. Kanimba took the initiative to speak with an IBM executive. Two weeks later, IBM offered her a full-time job to launch her engineering career.
About the ASME Willis F. Thompson Memorial Scholarship
The Willis F. Thompson Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology, or a related baccalaureate program. Recipients are chosen based on scholastic ability and potential contribution to the mechanical engineering profession. Students who demonstrate interest in advancing the field of power generation are given special consideration.
This scholarship honors the lifelong contributions of Willis F. Thompson, who served ASME in numerous roles, including regional vice president. Mr. Thompson was instrumental in the conception and development of the United Engineering Center in New York.
About the ASME/Virginia Tech Memorial Scholarship
The ASME/Virginia Tech Memorial Scholarship is an endowed fund established to create an ongoing remembrance of the April 16, 2007 tragedy at Virginia Tech University while supporting the next generation of innovators in engineering. The scholarship is awarded to graduate-level students (Masters or PhD) who are actively pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology at Virginia Tech.
About the ASME Foundation Variable International Scholarship
The ASME Foundation Variable International Scholarship is a global, geographically unrestricted award offered to ASME members, especially those students who face financial challenges or live in lower cost-of-living areas. Preference is given to students who exhibit a high level of ASME involvement and leadership and seek to advance the mechanical engineering profession.
