Random walks along the squishy boundary of physics and engineering

Many of the key problems and systems of interest in soft matter physics are similarly a focus for other fields, such as chemical engineering and biomedical engineering, making the area inherently highly interdisciplinary. Although soft matter physicists and engineers share topics of interest, the reasons for their interest are of course not identical, and when brought together through collaboration, these varied perspectives can help enrich the science. In my talk, I will illustrate this point with some specific examples from projects from my research background, particularly in the area of interfacial rheology. I will also try to offer some advice on how young scientists can position themselves to contribute in an environment where cross-disciplinary interactions are increasingly important.