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Sarah C

- Research Program Mentor

MEng candidate at Cornell University

Expertise

Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Polymer Science, Fiber Science

Bio

Hi there! I'm Sarah, a master's student at Cornell University studying Materials Science & Engineering. My academic interests include polymer science, textile engineering, and package engineering. My favorite thing about materials science is its wide range of applications, allowing me to both conduct research on hydrogels for biomedical applications during my undergraduate education and complete an internship at Intel last year making computer chips. In the future, I plan to work in the consumer goods industry as a technical product developer or packaging engineer. Outside of school, I'm a big fan of sports and outdoor activities. I'm currently training for a half marathon and have loved exploring my local trails and neighborhoods on my runs. In my free time, I also enjoy trying out new restaurants (foodies unite!), reading, and knitting.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

All About Rubber: An in-depth study of the chemical and mechanical properties of elastomers

Polymers are some of the most relevant and impactful materials for everyday life, and the basis of all polymer science lies in understanding the structure-property relationships present in these macromolecules. In this project, you will gain a better understanding of the chemical and mechanical properties of rubber, an extremely familiar yet remarkably unique polymeric material. Through either hands-on experimentation or an in-depth literature review, you will research the chemical structure of rubber in order to understand the effect of temperature and vulcanization on its mechanical behavior. By the end of the project, you will be able to explain why rubber is classified as a liquid instead of a solid, why it contracts when it's heated, and how the addition of nanofillers makes it a material suitable for car tires. You will produce a scientific research paper based on your findings and learn how to refine your analytical abilities and technical writing skills.

Coding skills

Python, Matlab

Teaching experience

My previous mentor experiences include tutoring middle schoolers in underserved LA communities and guiding female students in STEM through their undergraduate years at UCLA. One of my favorite things about mentoring kids and young adults is fostering excitement and confidence in their ability to achieve higher education. As an engineering student myself, I love teaching all things STEM and am excited about the potential of innovation that research projects can reach at the high school level.

Credentials

Work experience

Intel Corporation (2022 - 2023)
Package R&D Engineering Intern
UCLA (2019 - 2021)
Research Assistant

Education

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
BS Bachelor of Science (2021)
Chemistry Materials Science
Cornell University
MEng Master of Engineering candidate
Materials Science & Engineering

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