Fashioning the Future With: Naina Runnoo
She's a mechanical engineer, a pageant star, and she speaks five languages fluently. She's Naina Runnoo, and we are thrilled to have her on the blog today! Naina's resume is glam and STEM combined, and we are here for it. Naina is a research assistant at the University of Mauritius where her focus is on green building design. She recently competed in the 2019 Miss Universe Mauritius pageant, breaking stereotypes left and right. After being selected among the top fifteen contestants, Naina represented the Mauritian region of Bel Air as — literally — Miss Bel Air! Sash-wearing snow peas, how cool is that?!
Naina's advocacy as a woman in STEM who graces the pageant stage as a multilingual engineer is, well, pretty darn amazing. At Style Engineers Worldwide, we love it when people prove that elegance, empowerment, and intellect are even more powerful when creatively combined. And that's what Naina Runnoo is all about. In addition to her research work and pageant cred, Naina's a member of the Association of Women Engineers and the Institution of Engineers, Mauritius. She's also extremely well-traveled! The career path Naina's on is sure to combine globe-trotting with STEM advocacy — and a whole lotta style!
We were thrilled to ask Naina about her advice for aspiring mechanical engineers, what she loves most about being a polyglot who is constantly learning more languages, and more. Meet Naina Runnoo, Miss Bel Air!
When did you first know you were a scientist?
I think I was 12 when I was doing my own kind of secret experiments on insects. Later in my preteen years, my mother found out my collection of moths and dragonflies while cleaning, and she was definitely super angry. I had to say goodbye to the inner scientist I was. Now, I consider myself more as a scientist wannabe.
What first drew you to mechanical engineering?
At first, it was all about the love I had for challenges, mathematics, and physics — and the fact that not many girls were opting for it.
What kind of work do you do as a research assistant at the University of Mauritius?
My work consists mainly of reviewing papers related to green building design. I have to take into consideration different factors and test different solutions, and eventually come along with the best approach in the local context.
What’s your ideal career path?
Hopefully, to do my doctorate and be a STEM advocate and promote STEM around world.
You speak a lot of languages! When did you realize you were adept at learning multiple languages?
Honestly, I grew up learning 3 languages (English, French, and Hindi) ever since I was 6 years old, and I was 10 when I first started learning Spanish. I eventually told myself, if I can learn English and French at the same time, why can’t I apply that with another Germanic and Romance language (German and Spanish)? I had a limitless mindset and as I grew up; more opportunities came forward to make me learn more languages.
What do you like most about speaking so many languages?
The fact that I can interact with locals while traveling and feel the sense of belonging.
What inspired you to enter the Miss Universe Mauritius pageant?
Listening to Life after the Crown podcast by Tim Tialdo day and night!! And also, I wanted to break stereotypes and prove that pageant girls are more than just pretty faces.
What was your favorite part about competing in the pageant as an engineer?
Showing that being a pageant contestant and an engineer isn’t mutually exclusive. We can be both pretty and smart.
What do you think people get most wrong about beauty pageants?
The catfight myth!!
Following that: What do you think people get most wrong about engineering?
They think we can fix everything. Sorry-not-sorry, but I do not know how to fix a broken laptop.
Girls and women get put in boxes all the time, so it’s awesome to see people showing that you can be more than just one thing: in your case beauty queen AND a scientist AND more! What is your personal philosophy about female empowerment?
Why choose one when you can be more?
What was the most unexpected thing to happen during the Miss Universe Mauritius pageant?
Having my friends all around the world supporting me!! I was shook.
Who (modern day and/or historical) inspires you?
Iman Oubou — Miss New York US 2015 — who is also a published scientist.
What advice do you have for girls (middle and high school) who want to become mechanical engineers?
There will be always be people who will underestimate you and tell you that you’re not smart enough to become a mechanical engineer. That’s their limitation — not yours.
What are some hobbies you enjoy in your free time?
I do boxing, read books, watch documentaries, hike and, of course, learn languages.
Do you have any favorite STEM/engineer characters in books/movies/other art forms?
I was being compared a lot to Tecna in Winx Club by my pageant sisters during Miss Universe Mauritius 2019 because I would tell them science facts like why hair becomes curly when drenched. Tecna, eventually, became my favorite STEM character. I also used to love Phineas and Ferb — they are the real engineers, according to me!!
If you were a superhero, what would your go-to wearable tech device be?
Hoop earrings — the only accessories I wear.
To learn more about Naina, follow her on Instagram @nia.rn and @runnoo_c. Connect with her on LinkedIn, too!