The recycling industry has been a subject that’s drawn me in throughout my STEM journey in high school. I’m inspired by its focus on innovation, renewal, and repurposing; how materials once considered waste products can be broken down into their fundamental components and transformed into something valuable again. More specifically, I’ve been fascinated by the possibility of capturing carbon from waste and repurposing it into sustainable resources that could reduce pollution. Beginning my freshman year at Cal Poly has been both exciting and eye-opening as I continue to explore and refine my interests. Engineering and chemistry were always a natural path for me, but I’ve also had an interest in the medical field, though not as a practitioner. With the support of the Materials Engineering faculty, I’ve been able to explore new paths that combine all of my curiosities. An exciting area of materials that I want to continue exploring is biopolymers and their potential applications in biomedical tools. The idea that naturally degrading materials could replace plastics that are detrimental to our planet, while also promoting healing within the body, shows how engineering can advance both human health and environmental sustainability. At the core of who I am and what I value is using creativity not just to invent, but to drive progress and balance. I hope to contribute to a future where recycling isn’t simply about managing waste, but about reimagining what’s possible.