One memorable experience that might highlights my tinkering skills, occurred when a group of my friends and I decided to set up a drone and try to take videos of Dreamville, which occurs so close to my on-campus apartment that I could hear Nicki Minaj live from my bedroom! We had planned a day full of excitement, capturing aerial footage from a large distance as to not disturb the event, but we quickly discovered that we were missing a crucial component: a pack of small clamps needed to assemble the drone. The screw was somewhat uncommon, and none of us had an extra on hand! As my friends scrambled through their toolboxes and searched the internet for nearby stores, I realized I could help. We all agreed to try different things and come back in the morning. I had recently been experimenting with 3D printing in the makerspace and had a few modest projects under my belt, which gave me the confidence to tackle this problem. Thankfully, my industrial engineering roommate has a printer on-hand so I was not waiting on makerspace! I was the only girl in my group and was in a less CAD-focused major compared to my friends, so they were skeptical of my capabilities despite being unwilling to try their own hand. I set up my laptop, opened up autocad, and began modeling the clamp based on measurements I took from the drone. In that moment, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of spite to prove that my c skillsrafting were just as valid as anyone else’s, especially in a group often dominated by guys. Women are already underestimated in fields that involve hands-on technical work, and I wanted to demonstrate that my knowledge and abilities were no less than theirs regardless of my background. Once I had the model ready, I venmoed my roommate for the material cost, loaded the filament into the 3D printer and hit “print.” As the machine whirred to life, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. The printing process would take about an hour, and I couldn’t help but think about the precious time we were losing while waiting. However, I was determined to see this through. My friends were initially skeptical, but as the print progressed, they began to crowd around, fascinated by the technology. After what felt like an eternity, the printer finally finished, and I carefully removed the newly printed clamp. I held it up triumphantly, feeling a surge of pride as my friends examined my work. And then it broke. Not to worry, I upped the infill percentage and tried it again. Merely part of my plan! The next day we tested it on the drone and it worked perfectly! With the drone finally assembled, we took it outside for a test flight. It soared through the air, capturing stunning footage as we cheered it on. That moment was not just a victory for the drone project but also a personal triumph. I had delighted my friends with a creative solution to our problem, demonstrating the power of creative design, and learning from past failure! This experience solidified my belief in the importance of not underestimating anyone, regardless of gender, when it comes to technical skills. Tinkering and hacking are for everyone, and creativity knows no gender boundaries. Whether it’s repairing a drone, creating something new, or solving a problem, everyone has something valuable to contribute. I hope to continue inspiring others, especially women, to embrace their tinkering skills and pursue their passions without hesitation.

My only connection is family in the same county, but every opportunity is worth attempting as a North Carolinian I believe I am a deserving candidate for this scholarship due to my strong academic performance, leadership experience, and commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions. I am currently pursuing my degree in Chemical Engineering, I am on track to earn summa cum laude, and though cliche my goal is to leave the world a better place than I found it. Chemical engineers work in a variety of industries from energy to pharmaceuticals to water quality that are vital to our way of life. I wanted to contribute to that. One of my most significant achievements has been serving as the team lead for ChemE Car, a project that challenges students to design and build a small car powered by a chemical reaction. In this role, I not only honed my technical skills but also developed my leadership abilities. Leading a diverse team of engineers, I learned how to foster collaboration, encourage innovative thinking, and ensure that every member felt valued and heard. I had to take on the mantle on short notice, but we are set to compete in the spring! In addition to my work with ChemE Car, I have been actively involved in biofuels research at my university. This research focuses on developing alternative energy sources that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change. Through this experience, I have gained valuable skills in experimental design, data analysis, and critical thinking. I am passionate about exploring innovative solutions to our energy challenges, and my research has solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in sustainable biotechnology. Mother nature has had billions of years to optimize and there is so much we can gain from understanding the advances nature has made. Furthermore, my academic journey has been enriched by various extracurricular activities and volunteer work, which have allowed me to give back to the community while developing a well-rounded skill set. From rock-climbing to advocacy to trail cleanups I believe that my experiences have prepared me to be a proactive leader in my field, capable of contributing to advancements in sustainable energy and environmental stewardship. Receiving this scholarship would not only alleviate financial burdens but also empower me to continue my studies and research initiatives. It would enable me to focus on my goal of developing sustainable biotechnologies that can have a meaningful impact on our world. I am committed to using my education and experiences to contribute positively to society, and I am excited about the opportunity to further my knowledge and skills through this scholarship. Thank you for considering my application; I am eager to continue my journey in chemical engineering and sustainability.

Perception influences our reality and poor mental health corrupts our perception. Think of our overall well-being as a nest of little baby birds, each representing a different aspect of our health. For example: physical, mental, social, and environmental. These birds can communicate with one another, and their interactions can either uplift or harm the flock as a whole. When one bird struggles, it can negatively impact the others, leading to a ripple effect that affects our overall happiness and functionality. One bird taking all the resources has the same result. Different birds have different individual needs, but you need to tend to all at once. Prioritization is key. For instance, when my mental bird is fluttering around feeling anxious or overwhelmed, it can make the physical bird uneasy, leading to a lack of exercise or poor eating habits. Conversely, when I’m feeling mentally strong and positive, it motivates the physical bird to get moving, which in turn helps boost my mood even further. Not all relationships are created equal, and this interconnectedness highlights just how important it is to pay attention to each aspect of our well-being and how they all contribute to our overall health. Harmony is key, and time management is a very underrated part of mental health. Staying balanced takes time and effort and there are so many things that one needs to do. One needs to set time aside to unwind. My method of choice is long walks around Lake Raleigh, and which helps me tune in to my thoughts and feelings, allowing me to identify when one of my birds is starting to struggle (and watch the real birds in the wild). I have learned that I have a hard time controlling my breath sitting down, but mild activity can act as a personal reset. I also prioritize physical activity because it plays a crucial role in mental health. When I’m active, I’m not just taking care of my physical bird; I’m also giving my mental bird a boost. In addition to those walks I also take ballet classes twice a week and rock-climb in my spare time. The act of getting better at these two activities is mentally fulfilling which helps feed my mental bird. Social connections are another vital piece of the puzzle. I’ve found that surrounding myself with supportive friends and family creates a positive environment where the social bird can thrive. Having someone to talk to, laugh with, or share experiences makes a significant difference. We all have days when we feel like we’re being weighed down by negativity, but having a support system helps lift those burdens. Never fly alone! Environmental well-being is also essential. The space we inhabit can profoundly affect our mental state. I’ve made a conscious effort to create a calming environment at home—one filled with plants, natural light, and soothing colors. When my environment is pleasant, it helps my mental bird feel more at ease and focused. It’s like creating a comfortable nest where all the birds can feel safe and supported. I have previously underrated the impact of this, but my roommates really love to make their spaces cozy and I discovered that those changes made me love being in the apartment. Small things have large impacts.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Wicked because analyzing both the book and the Broadway show is a fun exploration of the art of adaptation. The book transforms the Wicked Witch of the West from a one-dimensional villain into one of the most complex characters in literature. Maguire's Elphaba is a cynical but dedicated revolutionary, often misanthropic and dark in a much less playful manner than either the book or musical portrays. This darker tone in the novel gives us a nuanced view of her motivations, exploring themes of injustice and moral ambiguity. In contrast, the Broadway adaptation breathes new life into Elphaba's character. She is simplified but her most important traits are amplified. While it retains her core struggles, the musical infuses her story with humor and vibrant energy. Her story can now reach a much broader audience. The music, especially songs like “No Good Deed,”, the true climax of the story in my opinion, captures Elphaba’s spirit and determination to fight against the oppressive forces in her life. This dynamic portrayal allows audiences to connect with her emotionally. The adaptation also emphasizes the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, showcasing how their contrasting personalities and experiences shape each other’s journeys. In the book, their relationship is more complex and tense, reflecting their world's harsher realities and cultural disconnects. However, the musical highlights the joy and humor in their friendship, providing a balance that makes the story more accessible. Elphaba ultimately dies in the book, though it is more of a comma than a period, but she undoubtedly lives in the musical. This change exemplifies the change in spirit between the two works. Ultimately, both versions of Wicked invite us to reflect on the nature of good and evil, urging us to consider the shades of gray in every story. This exploration of character and moral complexity, coupled with the uplifting themes of resilience and friendship, is what makes Wicked such a powerful and enduring tale.

Living sustainably in today's world necessitates intentional choices in every aspect of daily life. From minimizing waste to reducing carbon emissions, these decisions shape our impact on the planet. Personally, I have adopted several practices aimed at living more sustainably, recognizing the importance of reducing my carbon footprint for the well-being of our environment and future generations. One intentional choice I've made is to learn how to mend and alter clothing. This not only extends the lifespan of what I already own, but with luck, reduces the demand for new clothing production and the associated environmental costs. I can now repair tears, replace buttons, and alter second-hand clothing to fit my preferences, so that I am no longer contributing to the cycle of fast fashion. These skills used to be universal, and I hope they one day become universal again. In addition to clothing, I've also made some conscious decisions regarding my diet. I grow my own herbs instead of buying them from the grocery store. I've reduced my consumption of meat and dairy products, along with palm oil, as they are the foodstuffs with the highest environmental impact associated with their production. I generally try to favor produce over processed products. This choice also benefited my finances, as lentils and eggs end up costing far less than ground beef or chicken. Though I cannot afford to buy everything locally, I do go the farmers market for eggs and jam as they are the only two items that typically fall within my budget. By opting for plant-based alternatives and sourcing locally whenever possible, I aim to lessen my ecological footprint without resorting to worst offenders within the grocery store. I also firmly believe in the power of community-driven initiatives to promote sustainability. I organized a swap meet on my dorm floor at the end of the year to allow unwanted items to find new homes, hopefully promoting a culture of reuse and reducing waste. This not only acted as a bonding experience amongst the residents, but it contributes to the circular economy by giving pre-loved items a second life. By encouraging others to participate in such events, I hope to inspire collective action towards a more sustainable lifestyle. If we want our spending habits, boycotts, and other protests to influence corporations to change their methods, it has to start from a collective. While industrial waste dominates the landscape of environmental destruction, I firmly believe that individual habits can catalyze meaningful change. By making informed choices and supporting ethical practices, consumers can influence how products are sourced and manufactured. Whether through boycotts, advocacy, or simple lifestyle adjustments, each person has a drop of potential to drive positive transformation. Enough drops, and you can form a tidal wave. While the magnitude of industrial pollution can only be fully addressed through environmental regulation, it is through these small, cumulative changes that we can create a cultural shift and pave the way towards a more sustainable future. Ultimately, every decision counts, and by prioritizing sustainability in our daily lives, we can collectively shape a healthier planet for generations to come.

Everyone in engineering learns about the hierarchy of controls, a system of dealing with hazards. First eliminate, then mitigate, and as a last resort: wear appropriate PPE and pray. In the context of sustainability, elimination is reducing the need for pollution sources in the first place, mitigation is policies and sustainable technologies, and that last option is analogous to a reactive approach like cleaning a beach. The damage has already occurred, so you do what you can to shield the damage and hope for the best. This hierarchy has even informed the order of "reduce, reuse, recycle." We are fundamentally approaching the problem from the wrong end of the pyramid. Instead of thinking systemically, we clean up oil spills instead of preventing them. We are selfish, exporting our waste to the global south to wreak havoc on their ecosystems, ignoring that it will ultimately affect us. Inaction is a problem, yes, but most of the actions we do take are ineffective! Replacing grocery store bags with fabric is great, but that plastic waste is nothing compared to what is generated by the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Industrial supply chains are a tangled international web, but making those processes and facilities more sustainable is the key to a hopeful future. Right now, we are so focused on individual consumers when we need to redirect to the systems and corporations responsible for what they consume in the first place. I am studying chemical engineering to pursue environmental biotechnology: using mother nature to make industrial processes more sustainable. So much waste and pollution could be converted into valuable or at least inert products, reducing the need for pollution to be generated in the first place. I want to attack the problem at the source by improving the sustainability of industrial production.

What I have discovered, is that when you are balancing school with a part-time job, what ends up being sacrificed is something no one tells you about until you arrive. Even in chemical engineering, with a reputation of being one of the most challenging majors one could pursue, I could manage my academics and 24 hours of retail work decently well. Even with a biomanufacturing minor that required intense 5-hour long labs, I could find the time for both commitments, and I even made the dean’s list every semester! I had no idea the extent until the end of my freshman year, but there is so much more to it than that. If you want an internship, you must find time for career fairs, professional societies, and resume polishing. If you want to attend graduate school like I do, you must gain research experience, network with your professors, and attend conferences. Suppose you do not do either. Even, in a field known for job security, such as engineering, you will either have to go into massive debt for a non-research master’s degree, or you will wait many anxiety-inducing months after graduation to land your first engineering job. The possibility that mismanaging my time, even with good grades, could cause my degree to be in vain is my worst nightmare. I want to earn a Ph.D. in chemical engineering or biotechnology. I am fascinated by how we can use nature’s processes to make industrial processes more sustainable. For example, engineering microbes to digest plastic, converting waste biomass to fuel with enzymes, or modifying produce to make their own pesticides. Industrial and agricultural waste are some of our largest polluters, so I want to attack the problem at the source! Mainly, I am interested in taking all the solutions scientists have already found and finding ways to make them economically feasible at scale. Cutting down a tree for fuel is not and will never be sustainable, but what if you sourced the wood from unused scraps from a furniture factory that they would otherwise toss? I want to be a bridge between the world of science and the world of industry. The temporal cost of working through school is that I will need a gap year before I begin my Ph.D. to pay off loans and further build my resume. Loans and my summer internship pay will cover my housing and tuition, but that leaves weekly expenses like groceries and car insurance, which is why I work during the school year. If the process of earning a degree is a chemical reaction, scholarships are catalysts. They reduce the energy and time needed for the reaction to proceed. Specifically, this scholarship would be equivalent to 33 hours of work saved. It may not sound like much, but that is enough time to prepare a poster for the national chemical engineering conference this fall or attend every office hour session for a course. Both examples could easily be the difference between admittance and rejection to a graduate program, effectively deciding my future for the next five years. A scholarship represents more than just financial assistance; it is an opportunity to invest in myself and my future.

Growing up, I was always fascinated by the natural world's processes. Mother nature has had billions of years to expand and change and optimize. We know so much about how life operates, but we are far from matching nature's capabilities. Only the simplest of proteins can be made without the help of a biological host. From bullet trains modeled after bird beaks to life-saving gene therapies derived from modified mammalian cells, we are only beginning to tap into the true potential. I want to bridge the gap between gaining that knowledge and applying it. Solar power is wonderful, but energy storage is expensive. Hydropower can have high yields, but in its most effective form, it wrecks the ecosystem around it. Nuclear has amazing potential but faces considerable political barriers to its execution. Biomass is everywhere, and it can make an excellent feedstock for fuel. Biofuels can be derived from various organic materials, from algae to sawdust. Microbes and enzymes, along with chemical and physical steps, carry out the conversion to fuel. What truly captivates me about biofuels is their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make our most harmful processes more sustainable. Chemical engineering is often called process engineering because we focus on the efficiency of an entire system as opposed to the function of a single piece of equipment. It is within this realm that many of the largest sustainability gains can be found. Climate change is moving too fast to have the luxury of taking the time to create entirely new energy production systems without something to supplant fossil fuels in the meantime. Industrial and agricultural processes are among the most prominent causes of environmental damage, so why not attack both problems at the source? Biofuels represent one promising solution to making the worst polluters carbon neutral. Most bioethanol is from corn, a plant that takes a great deal of effort and fertilizer to grow and is grown on land that could otherwise go to food or forests. While better than fossil fuels, corn-based ethanol production is typically a carbon-positive process. Last summer, I worked with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center on a project to modify a strain of bacteria to create ethanol from lignocellulosic hydrolysate. Instead of corn, the biomass was derived from crops like switchgrass and miscanthus grown on marginal lands unfit for food crops. Currently, my research is in a slightly different area: chemical biomass pretreatment. Remember the hydrolysate from earlier? I am researching more sustainable ways to create it. Microbes and enzymes cannot process pure sawdust particularly well, necessitating a chemical pretreatment step. Eventually, I want to take the process I develop to a larger scale. Through hands-on research experiences and engineering coursework, I honed my analytical skills. I learned to understand the underlying principles governing these complex energy systems. My ultimate goal is to transition into a career in industrial R&D, where I can contribute to developing sustainable biofuel technologies by working directly with some of the country's largest polluters. This scholarship would put me one more step towards achieving my sustainability goals.

The future of infrastructure is literally alive. Biocement, unlike its traditional counterpart, uses bacteria to calcify and harden soil into cement. Researchers in Singapore recently discovered a way to sustainably produce biocement out of a combination of industrial and domestic sewage waste. Calcium ions from the industrial carbide sludge are treated with acid so that they will react with urea. The two compounds enable the reaction that turns sediment to biocement. The material is self-healing, a little like roman concrete, which vastly increases the lifespan of concrete structures. Imagine living, self-repairing buildings and roads. Biocement absorbs pollution, strengthens soil, and bioMASON, a company local to my area, proves that biocement can be grown faster than traditional cement is made. The team in Singapore is currently testing their formulation on the coastline, trying to prevent sand from eroding into the sea. The researchers are also exploring applications in road repair, pipeline sealing, and even coral reef cultivation. Their mechanism is not only more financially feasible than current methods of making biocement, but it is greener as well by making both the cement manufacturing and waste treatment industries more sustainable. This method brings the world one step closer to a carbon-neutral future. As a student studying both engineering and biotechnology, I love all the unconventional applications of microbes that we have discovered in the past few decades. Mother nature has had a billion-year long head start on innovation and we are only beginning to understand the ways we can use her knowledge to better society. There will not be some magical one-size-fits-all solution to the climate crisis. We will improve through thousands of smaller innovations step-by-step or in this case, brick-by-brick.

Growing up, I was always fascinated by the natural world's processes. Mother nature has had billions of years to expand and change and optimize. We know so much about how life operates, but we are far from matching nature's capabilities. Only the simplest of proteins can be made without the help of a biological host. From bullet trains modeled after bird beaks to life-saving gene therapies derived from modified mammalian cells, we are only beginning to tap into the true potential. I want to bridge the gap between gaining that knowledge and applying it. Solar power is wonderful, but energy storage is expensive. Hydropower can have high yields, but in its most effective form, it wrecks the ecosystem around it. Nuclear has amazing potential but faces considerable political barriers to its execution. Biomass is everywhere, and it can make an excellent feedstock for fuel. Biofuels can be derived from various organic materials, from algae to sawdust. Microbes and enzymes, along with chemical and physical steps, carry out the conversion to fuel. What truly captivates me about biofuels is their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make our most harmful processes more sustainable. Chemical engineering is often called process engineering because we focus on the efficiency of an entire system as opposed to the function of a single piece of equipment. It is within this realm that many of the largest sustainability gains can be found. Climate change is moving too fast to have the luxury of taking the time to create entirely new energy production systems without something to supplant fossil fuels in the meantime. Industrial and agricultural processes are among the most prominent causes of environmental damage, so why not attack both problems at the source? Biofuels represent one promising solution to making the worst polluters carbon neutral. Most bioethanol is from corn, a plant that takes a great deal of effort and fertilizer to grow and is grown on land that could otherwise go to food or forests. While better than fossil fuels, corn-based ethanol production is typically a carbon-negative process. Last summer, I worked with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center on a project to modify a strain of bacteria to create ethanol from lignocellulosic hydrolysate. Instead of corn, the biomass was derived from crops like switchgrass and miscanthus grown on marginal lands unfit for food crops. Currently, my research is in a slightly different area: chemical biomass pretreatment. Remember the hydrolysate from earlier? I am researching more sustainable ways to create it. Microbes and enzymes cannot process pure sawdust particularly well, necessitating a chemical pretreatment step. Eventually, I want to take the process I develop to a larger scale. Through hands-on research experiences and engineering coursework, I honed my analytical skills. I learned to understand the underlying principles governing these complex energy systems. My ultimate goal is to transition into a career in industrial R&D, where I can contribute to developing sustainable biofuel technologies by working directly with some of the country's largest polluters. This scholarship would put me one more step towards achieving my sustainability goals.

Whether it be through my future career in environmental biotechnology or simply helping someone in need, I want to be someone who goes to bed at night knowing that I did my best to leave the world at least the tiniest bit better off than how it was when I woke up that morning.

Spite is a wonderful motivator. In fifth grade, every other Friday afternoon was to be dedicated to a STEM-themed project for every fifth-grade class. The first week we chucked eggs off the fire escape and in the second, we would test our paper and duct-tape towers against a leaf blower. My math and science education did not combine creativity with math or science until this point. Suffice it to say my mind was blown. Though I loved the spectacle, I also liked finally understanding the bridge between the numbers and the product. I knew butterflies were born from caterpillars but I finally knew about the chrysalis. These afternoons were the highlights of my week. It was all I ever wanted to talk about. Come October, five boys decided to engage in a food fight. Despite no one else getting involved, my teacher permanently ended STEM days for our entire class as punishment. The privilege of recess was also revoked that day for my protests. Later that afternoon, I decided that if my teacher was not going to continue STEM days, I would. Frankly, I cared more about going against my teacher than the projects themselves in the beginning. I had a friend tell me what she did in class in as much detail as a fifth grader can muster. Then, I would do my best to recreate it with what I could find in the kitchen and it worked! I roped my friends into it and we would make catapults from popsicle sticks and towers out of spaghetti noodles. My interest in engineering design was born here. The second spark arrived in middle school. A group of female nuclear engineers from NC State happened to be visiting my classroom and now I had a name for what I wanted to do. I wanted to study nuclear for years after and if I ever fall out of love with biomanufacturing, I hope to use my chemical engineering degree to work in nuclear. At the very least, I have those women to thank when it comes to how I ended up at NC State. In high school, I needed volunteer hours so I joined Kids Are Scientists Too, a branch of the science club dedicated to elementary STEM outreach. Primarily, we created lesson plans and led experiments to expose kids to the more exciting aspects of STEM. One year later I was managing the organization and conducting the tornado-in-a-bottle experiment with the class. That was one of the projects I recreated back in fifth grade, and it was incredibly cathartic to be running it in my former fifth-grade classroom. KAST helped me realize I loved teaching too and I want to become a professor one day. I discovered biomanufacturing in college but first, we must briefly return to fifth grade. I used to say that I wanted to be a pharmacist but stopped when I found out they are not responsible for making the medicine. Fall of freshman year I attended a random information session about the biomanufacturing program and discovered my school has a whole department that at its most oversimplified, is about making medicine. My inner child took control and I changed my intended major that night and I have not looked back since!