2021 Rising Stars: Cassandra Gallaschun Research Scientist/Engineer, Braskem As research scientist/engineer for Pittsburgh-based materials firm Braskem, Cassandra Gallaschun is required to be on-site in the lab about half of the time. But with the coronavirus pandemic, her access to the lab has been limited due to safety initiatives, which has forced her to look for creative solutions to work and achieve tasks, such as using historical data. "Being a member of a global team, I was somewhat accustomed to video meetings; however, not having the opportunity to collaborate and socialize in person has been hard," Gallaschun added. "I have been recently trying to make sure I devote some time each week to staying connected to my colleagues. During the pandemic, I have had to become more conscious of prioritizing work relationships."