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Cassandra Simpson

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Finalist

General information

Religion
Prefer Not To Answer

Hobbies & Interests

  • 3D Modeling
  • Anatomy
  • Spanish
  • Coding And Computer Science
  • STEM
  • Environmental Science and Sustainability
  • Research
  • Dance
  • International Relations
  • Tutoring
  • Upcycling and Recycling
  • Game Design and Development
  • Biomedical Sciences

Reading

  • Academic
  • Contemporary
  • Classics
  • Horror
  • Health
  • Business
  • Science‎

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

I love finding creative solutions for difficult problems. I am a recent graduate (August 2025) from Clemson University with my Masters with thesis in Materials Science & Engineering. I have a strong interest in biomaterials and synthetic polymers, especially those that are both biocompatible and sustainable, which is reflected in the research I conducted as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Kuksenok Research Group. Since beginning graduate school and research, these interests have become passions and led me to organizations, colleagues, and mentors that continue to inspire me to make the world a better place. I was a member of the Cabinet for Clemson Graduate Student Government (GSG) as the Director of the Sustainability, Secretary of Clemson Materials Research Society (MRS), and Graduate Research Assistant for Polymers for a Circular Economy (PCE). Outside of school, I enjoy reading, hiking, dancing and learning new languages- primarily Spanish and Japanese. Graduate school was the biggest challenge I've faced so far, but simultaneously the most rewarding and transformative. I learned how to approach the many challenges in our world in a way that emphasizes lasting impact. Along with that, I became aware of my personal strengths (and more importantly, my weaknesses) and have become a better person and leader than I was two years ago at the start of my program. I'm excited for the next step- spending the next few months studying for the patent bar exam and pursuing a path in patent law!

Education

Clemson University

Master's degree program

2023 – 2025

Majors:
  • Materials Sciences
  • Materials Engineering
Minors:
  • Computational Science

Clemson University

Bachelor's degree program

2018 – 2023

Majors:
  • Materials Engineering
  • Materials Sciences
Minors:
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
  • Chemistry

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Graduate Student Representative | Advocated for and relayed information to graduate students pertaining to changes in the Intellectual Property standards and regulations amidst research funding cuts.

    Legal Services · Intellectual Property Committee

    Jan 2024 – Jan 2025

  • Graduate Research Assistant- Published thesis on the influence of Molecular Weight Distribution on the Degradation of Linear Polyethylene to explore a way to make HDPE 100% recyclable that best emulates experimental outcomes.

    Research · Kuksenok Research Group

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2025

  • Materials Science & Engineering Ambassador- Gave tours to prospective MS&E students and led on and off campus talks about the work our department does as well as my own personal experiences

    Leisure, Travel, & Tourism · Clemson University

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2025

  • Materials Project Manager | Intern - Assured quality assurance and quality control of construction sites during the building process.

    Civil Engineering · Terracon Consultants

    Jan 2022 – Present

  • Graduate Assistant

    Plastics · Plastics for a Circular Economy- A center specializing in finding ways to crete 100% polymers circularity from inexpensive and more sustainable starting materials.

    Jan 2023 – Present

  • Research Computing and Data Engagement Intern- Created user friendly videos on how users can create accounts with our University supercomputer. Assisted coding and programming workshops such as intro to linux and neural networking.

    Computer & Network Security · Clemson University

    Jan 2023 – Present

  • Director of Sustainability- led 15 senators in projects such as eco-friendly hikes, established a $10,000 community garden for students, and founded an annual Sustainability Symposium.

    Environmental Services · GSG Sustainability

    Jan 2023 – Jan 2025

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Legal Services
Dream career goals:
Patent Attorney
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Entrepreneurship
Byte into STEM Scholarship
My name is Cassie, and I recently graduated from Clemson University with a Master’s in Materials Science & Engineering (Aug 2025). I am passionate about innovation, particularly the development of biocompatible and sustainable materials that can reshape existing technologies. My professional goal is to pursue a career in patent law so I can help inventors protect ideas that improve systems and create lasting environmental change. My passion is deeply personal. As the oldest daughter of four children, I grew up watching my parents work tirelessly to provide for us. They instilled in me the value of perseverance, but financial barriers meant I had to work multiple jobs to fund my education. As a double minority in a predominantly white institution and male-dominated field, I often felt out of place. Yet these challenges fueled my determination. I want to help create a future where everyone has access to what I see as basic needs--clean air, healthy food, and education. Because so many people, like my research advisor, pulled me up along the way, I intend to do the same for others. Graduate school shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. As a Graduate Research Assistant in Dr. Olga Kuksenok’s lab, I learned how to take an idea from inception to completion. My work in computational modeling focused on polyethylene, the world’s most-used plastic. Our lab is employing a method to make it 100% recyclable, addressing the material loss of current recycling processes. I also worked at the Polymers for a Circular Economy Center, where I engaged with diverse audiences to spread awareness about recycling. These experiences not only gave me technical skills but taught me how to translate complex research into meaningful conversations. Beyond research, I served as Director of Sustainability, leading 15 senators in building a cleaner, greener campus. We organized hike-and-litter cleanups, hosted tours of our university’s recycling facility, and launched an annual Sustainability Symposium where students presented sustainable research using virtual displays. My proudest achievement was expanding glove recycling to all undergraduate labs, transforming discarded gloves into furniture for campus use. Even larger was our $10,000 community garden project, featuring 8 large box gardens and a self designed and constructed irrigation system to ensure it is primarily self maintained. The goal is to provide students with free produce and donate surplus food to our campus pantry, and I'm excited for this years first harvest! For this work, I received the President’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and the President’s Award for Outstanding Committee. These roles taught me that impact doesn’t have to wait until after graduation--it can begin in the present moment. I also served as graduate representative on the university’s Intellectual Property committee, where I learned to advocate for student researchers during times of funding changes. These experiences solidified my desire to enter patent law, a field where I can combine my technical background with my commitment to equity and sustainability. Since graduating, I have been preparing for the patent bar exam while working at a restaurant to fund the Practicing Law Institute prep course recommended by my mentor. Passing this exam is my next step toward becoming a patent agent and, ultimately, an attorney. This scholarship would help me bridge that critical transition. I envision a career where I not only safeguard innovations but also continue leading initiatives in sustainability and community support. My journey has shown me that ambition and drive are magnified when paired with service. With this scholarship, I can continue breaking barriers, uplifting others, and contributing to a STEM workforce that reflects the diversity and resilience of the communities it serves.
John Alfred Smythe Memorial Scholarship
Telekinesis Cassie Simpson If there were one super power I could possess it would have to be telekinesis. I’m sure I’m not the only person that has attempted to move an object with their mind after watching one too many reruns of Matilda as a child. As I’ve matured and gained more knowledge and experience in both life and engineering, I’ve been able to draw two conclusions pertaining to superhuman abilities: 1. Most superpowers, sadly, don’t exist; I say most because parents definitely have eyes in the back of their heads and precognitive abilities despite how much they may deny it. 2. Telekinesis is by far the most useful superpower you could have when considering it is not just the movement of objects, but the movement of matter. Matter is defined as anything that has mass and volume. Through my studies as a Materials Science and Engineering major, I’ve come to realize how all-encompassing this term truly is. Things you can’t see and feel, such as the air you breathe, the scents you smell, and the flavors you taste are classified as matter. The ability to control and manipulate matter drives virtually all processes in our physical world, so the implications for telekinesis go far beyond levitating a book over to yourself without having to get out of bed. You could alter the chemical structure and molecular activity of practically any resource you can think of, which opens the door to limitless opportunities. If I had telekinesis, I would help the world in any way super-humanly possible. I would cure cancer by stopping the endless division of telomere regions, condense water droplets in regions experiencing drought, help launch rocket ships into space- the possibilities are endless. Although energy isn’t a form of matter, its generation could be achieved by using telekinesis. I would warm someone with hypothermia by moving subatomic particles so fast that their collisions result in the formation of heat. I would synthesize enough food to feed the world, lift heavy objects for the elderly, and anything else, big or small, that would make at least one person smile. Through the use of a superhero disguise and nickname, I would be able to live out my everyday life as a passionate materials science engineer. I would use my ability to create new metals and polymers with enhanced physical and mechanical properties and make all of these compounds readily available to anyone who could benefit from them. In addition to my two conclusions pertaining to superhuman abilities, there are two historical figures with quotes that encompass the actions I would take if I had the power of telekinesis: “Without knowledge action is useless and knowledge without action is futile” -Abu Bakr “Knowledge is power” - Francis Bacon And with great power comes great responsibility.
Cassandra Simpson Student Profile | Bold.org