Meet Our Students

Milena Gonzalez Vasquez

Undergraduate in Chemical Engineering, Class of 2012

Why I Chose Stanford

I did not have the opportunity to visit Stanford before�making my decision, but if I had, I would have chosen it with even more certainty. Thinking about Stanford—the beautiful campus, academic quality in majors across the board, the reputation of the university and its alumni, Northern California weather—the pro-list grew rapidly. Digging a little more�into Stanford Engineering, the main research areas caught my eye, especially environment and energy. I was also very fortunate to attend the Stanford Summer Engineering Academy (SSEA) before starting freshman year, further convincing me of my decision to study here. During�SSEA I was able to see what Stanford was all about, meet students and faculty from different engineering departments, and get familiar with Stanford’s resources. Whether through Admit Weekend, a summer program, or on your own, I would definitely recommend visiting the university to understand what is so great about Stanford that cannot be described in a pro/con list.

What I Work On

I am a recently declared chemical engineer, and I am planning on going abroad to Paris next spring. Also, this will be my second year as director of fundraising for Engineers for a Sustainable World-Stanford (ESW), a national, non-profit organization. Last year I was also a Project Leader for our ecological sanitation project in Oaxaca, Mexico. Throughout the year we organize several events and workshops on campus, and take on a couple of projects in developing countries, where we apply engineering ingenuity to promote sustainability and fight poverty. During the summer I began working in Professor Tom Jaramillo's lab in chemical engineering. My project consists of synthesizing films for photo-electrochemical cells—they use sunlight to produce a chemical fuel— in an effort to save the world, as every other researcher will say (or at least to prevent the energy crisis). Being able to dive into research during the summer has been extremely rewarding, not only in the amount of things I have learned and skills I have gained within my research area, but also as a head-start to continue working on this project during the academic year.

 

What's Great About Studying Here

The great thing about Stanford is the range of opportunities it has to offer, not only academically, but in research and student groups as well.  If you are sure about what you want to do and Stanford offers it then you are set, but even if you have no clue, or your interests range from fuzzy to techie, from rock-climbing to community service, or from singing to entrepreneurship, Stanford will surely have something for you. Undergraduate life is all about getting to know yourself by exploring different things, even if it is just to know that that is not what you want to do. As a freshman, Stanford gives you the opportunity to do jus that through multi-disciplinary academic requirements, introductory seminars, a “shopping period” for trying out classes, and a wide variety of athletic courses. In addition, the Stanford community, including faculty and student groups, always has its door open for you to find your place and make your mark.

What I Hope to Do

As far as the rest of my education at Stanford, I hope I can study for a quarter in Paris and perhaps even find a job there during the summer. I will continue to be involved in Engineers for a Sustainable World, and in my research in the Jaramillo lab. I would also like to co-term in engineering—still undecided as to which program exactly, however. Some other form of graduate education will follow after some years in the workforce, potentially an MBA. I wish to work in the energy and environment field, and I hope to create an impact in sustainable development, starting from my roots in Latin America. For now, I will try to gain the tools necessary to make a difference in the future.   

Sarah Moore

Doctoral Student Bioengineering

Why I Chose Stanford

Stanford has created an impressive environment of world-class research within a tightly knit community. I had the opportunity to experience this first-hand as an undergraduate in a summer research program before my senior year of college. After spending three months in Professor Jennifer Cochran’s laboratory in the Department of Bioengineering, I knew this was the place I wanted to call home for my graduate studies. On the academic and research side, I was excited about the collaborations between the basic science and engineering researchers and the clinicians in the medical school, working together to identify important medical challenges and to develop creative solutions to address them. On the community side, I was blown away by how the students and faculty were so genuinely interested in getting to know each other and support each other, both intellectually and personally. These initial impressions from my summer experience have only been expanded upon over my last three years at Stanford. I have had the opportunity to delve into the cooperative research environment that grabbed my attention, and I have continued forming rewarding relationships with the brilliant, caring students and faculty I spend my time with every day.

What I Work On

I engineer proteins to target tumor cells for cancer therapy and diagnostic imaging. The proteins I am engineering are able to very specifically attack cancer cells (like antibodies), but are small enough to access the entirety of a tumor, can be readily modified for specific applications, and can be produced relatively inexpensively (like chemotherapeutics). The DNA code specifies how cells make proteins, so to do this work I make mutations at the DNA level that then lead to tens of millions of slightly different proteins. Then I develop efficient methods of identifying the proteins that have the desired tumor targeting property. Our goal in the Cochran Lab is to engineer a class of proteins to treat a variety of cancers for which there are currently no suitable therapeutic options.

What's Great About Studying Here

The support I have to pursue my various interrelated passions is something I treasure about Stanford. My research has been supported by fantastic physical resources of laboratory space and shared experimental facilities, and, even more importantly, by amazing human resources of my colleagues. In addition to my research, I love teaching and mentoring, and have had the opportunity to be involved with this in several venues, formal and informal. For example, I have been able to TA both an introductory bioengineering lab course as well as an upper level graduate elective. Outside of the bioengineering department, over the last two years I have also coordinated a program called SPOT, which stands for Stanford Pre-Orientation Trips. SPOT offers week long pre-orientation backpacking and community service trips each fall to incoming new undergraduate students, and throughout the year I am involved with teaching and mentoring current students who are training to lead these trips. I’m inspired by this group of students whom I work with, and the experience has confirmed my desire to build a career in which I will be working with such wonderful, energetic undergraduates.

What I Hope to Do

I currently hope to become a professor, building a molecular bioengineering research program to address challenges including cancer and diseases of the developing world, while also being heavily involved in teaching and mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students. I will take with me the lesson I have learned from Stanford that both field-defining research and world-class teaching can be carried out on a single campus. Wherever I go next, I want to make an impact on the lives of others, both indirectly through my research and directly through interactions with my students.

Pamon Forouhar

Biomechanical Engineering

Why I Chose Stanford

How could I not? The reputation, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary breadth are all what initially had me thinking about a school like Stanford, but there was so much more that factored into my final decision. After touring the campus in high school and meeting several students and alumni, I knew there was something very special about this school and the student body. Never before had I met a group of people who seemed so passionate and excited about learning, while at the same time having so many amazing hobbies outside of academics. The students I met were brilliant, but not nerdy; unconventional, but not weird. These were the types of people that I wanted to surround me for the next four years—the types of people that would teach me more about the world and myself, all at the same time.

What's Great About Studying Here

The greatest part about being at Stanford is having the opportunity to meet the amazing people that you run into every day. From Olympic athletes to actual rocket scientists, this campus is filled with truly inspirational individuals who are willing and eager to share their experiences with you. It is through the diversity of the students and faculty that I feel I’ve actually learned the most during my time here.

What I Work On

I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of student government since coming to Stanford. As one of the Class Presidents, I�ve spent a lot of my time planning activities for the class including community service events, guest lectures, and formals. Student government continues to be a defining part of my Stanford experience and it�s something that I really enjoy.

What I Hope to Do

Part of the beauty of majoring in biomechanical engineering is its interdisciplinary scope, which keeps so many options open after graduation. I’m currently looking to go to medical school and hopefully become a pediatrician. At the same time, however, I think biotechnology is incredibly fascinating and I’d love to have the opportunity to develop new types of medical devices for doctors to use. Some combination of doing research and working with patients would make up my ideal career later on.

Carissa Carter, PhD Student

Stanford Microfluidics Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering

Why I Chose Stanford

Three years ago, I was a geologist. I'd finished my undergraduate and graduate degrees in geomorphology, and was working on sedimentology research at the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The jump from geology to design sounds big, but I have been lucky to have worked with a number of brilliant and inspiring people that always pushed me to explore new directions with my research. When I realized that my interests spanned beyond the bounds of the geosciences, my mentors and family encouraged me to find a place to incubate. I applied to Stanford because of its unique program in design, not found at other universities. With a curriculum that merges engineering, art, and the physical and social sciences, the Stanford Design Program was the ideal choice for my MS, and now PhD in engineering-design.

What I Work On

My research is on emergent design. Designers, engineers, politicians, and others who make decisions that affect a large number of people need to know the nature of the issues affecting their constituents, and be able to make design decisions to create widespread change. Emergent design accesses the stories and experiences of millions, and looks for unexpected themes and dynamics that arise. My research involves building emergent design methodologies and toolsets, as well as processing the data and using the collected information to deliver design solutions.

What's Great About Studying Here

My experience at Stanford has fundamentally changed my way of thinking. I have learned to build and create in new dimensions and approach problems with a broad mindset. Most importantly, I continue to meet and interact with amazing faculty, students, and industry experts that challenge me every day. I am always impressed with the people and resources around me.

What I Hope to Do

I would love to bring emergent design to a level where we can use it for large-scale change. There are numerous complex andgrand world problems. Many people have experiences and stories to tell about these issues. I hope to harness their experiences and create a space where people are connected by perception. In terms of my future, I am a fan of experiences. I would like to continue to take advantage of new and exciting opportunities as they come along. I see myself working both in and out of academia. My dream is to be inspiring enough to speak at TED.

Bjoern Hartman, PhD Student

CS

Why I Chose Stanford

Stanford's PhD program is unique among its peers in that it gives students an enormous amount of freedom to shape their own research program. Since my work is interdisciplinary in nature, this freedom allows me to branch out from my core expertise in Computer Science to other engineering disciplines, and even other programs in the social sciences. Stanford also has a strong nexus of human-centered design expertise in the d.school that matches my research interests particularly well.

What I Work On

I am a second year PhD student in Computer Science, where I work in the Human Computer Interaction group. My principal research interest is in physical computing, bridging the disparate worlds of bits and atoms. More specifically, my goal is to develop tools that enable designers and do-it-yourself hobbyists to work with physical and digital artifacts in concert. I am currently building a rapid prototyping system that allows product designers to build functional mock-ups of information appliances in a matter of minutes. Beyond technical work, I am also collaborating with researchers in the communication department to uncover principles and guidelines for embodied interaction design.

What's Great About Studying Here

There are a tremendous number of stimulating ideas circulating around campus. Stanford also offers students all the resources to turn those ideas into realities through places like the Product Realization Lab. Being embedded in Silicon Valley makes it possible to work directly with innovative companies to test your research in a larger context.

What I Hope to Do

Inspire others to focus on the human side of information technology.

Julia Chen, PhD Student

Bioengineering

Why I Chose Stanford

The main reason I chose Stanford was for the research. There are so many different topics being explored, and so many areas that I would be happy working in, that the possibility of a neat collaboration is really high. The Bio-X program links together people from so many diverse fields who are all interested in biology. Plus, the faculty here is outstanding, with many famous names, and it would be an awesome opportunity to work with such great minds. Finally, everyone here is so friendly and encouraging which is a big motivation for me.

What's Been Hardest So Far

Carrying out my own research has shown me how difficult it is to plan experiments and ask the right questions, as well as to answer them! Also, my research interests have shifted slightly from what I was interested in as an undergraduate. Because of this, I have taken classes with topics that are more foreign to me, and it's taken more work for me to understand the concepts. However, I gained a lot from these classes, and definitely feel more comfortable about my research. Despite the coursework and all, classes probably are the most efficient way to learn about a broad topic.

What's Been the Most Fun

The graduate community is really great here. I like how easy it is to meet other students and find so many people with similar interests. The faculty is really great as well, and they are very helpful in helping you plan the course of your studies. With the open atmosphere here, not only are there are a lot of opportunities in research, but I can also create opportunities that are not already in place. Stanford Engineering is tough, but I've learned a lot from classes. Women in engineering also have a lot of resources here. One of my favorite classes is a seminar about women in engineering, where it's been refreshing to hear perspectives about more than just academics from many outstanding women scientists and engineers.

What I Hope to Do

I hope to receive my PhD and then perhaps do post-doctoral research. I eventually want to become a professor at a research institution. Since I enjoy teaching, I think that would be a great combination of both interacting with students and carrying out research in topics that I choose.

Alex Tung, PhD Student

EE

Why I Chose Stanford

I came to Stanford for my undergraduate degree mostly because I was unsure of what I wanted to do, and Stanford had a great reputation as a well-rounded university that could appeal to both my "techie" and "fuzzy" sides. I was able to explore different interests before settling on electrical engineering as my major. I stayed here for graduate school because of the myriad opportunities and resources to get engaged in exciting interdisciplinary medical device research. The university encourages collaboration in a way that is hard to find in other places.

What I Work On

I do research on medical technologies for minimally invasive surgery. Our lab is developing devices that will hopefully one day improve the precision and speed of catheter-based surgeries by giving physicians a robotically-assisted interface with tactile feedback. I enjoy the blend of technical and humanistic design concepts that encompasses this kind of medical device design. There's also diversity in the technical skills I've had to acquire, as the work ends up being quite the mix of electrical, mechanical, and biomedical engineering, with even some material science thrown in as well.

What's Great About Studying Here

In addition to my engineering interests, I've long been involved in public service activities and projects, and at Stanford there are tons of opportunities to get out and do good in the community. Also, Stanford fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, and if there is something missing, chances are there's a way to make it happen. A few years ago, a number of students and faculty (myself included) came together to propose the creation of a public service office in the School of Engineering, and now I am working part time as the Public Service Coordinator to support engineering public service efforts throughout the school.

What I Hope to Do

In the long term, I hope to use engineering to solve problems for our developing world. Whether bringing high tech solutions to a fundamental human problem or using low tech in an innovative way, there's a huge opportunity for engineers to leverage their skills to promote positive social change. I hope to be a part of these efforts in whatever small (or large) way I can.

Struan Brinkers, BS Student

Product Design

Why I Chose Stanford

Very few universities in the world offer a beautiful setting, exemplary teaching staff, a range in courses offered and an engineering school as highly acclaimed as that of Stanford. Still somewhat undecided as to what aspect of engineering I would major in, Stanford gave me the opportunity to postpone my decision while remaining confident that I would receive a stellar education regardless of what I chose to study. As an international student from a small school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the diverse and welcoming nature of Stanford students also had a significant influence on my wanting to attend.

What I Work On

I'm currently completing a Product Design BS. My interests lie in conceiving products that benefit human experiences. Having just returned to Stanford after a year of work experience in South East Asia, balancing the constraints arising from aesthetic, technical, human, social and true business concerns has become my primary draw to such design based engineering.

What's Great About Studying Here

One of the most favorable aspects of attending Stanford is the freedom the institution grants to its undergraduate students. As a product design major, I am not only provided with the opportunity to become involved in various types of research, but also, am assured that all the resources for my research are available. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Asia, I have witnessed interactions between cultures, between age groups and between members of different religions daily and those experiences have cultivated an inward desire to consistently surround myself with such relations. Stanford promotes such diversity, inviting and celebrating differences in a variety of ways, constructing an environment that educates its members in areas beyond academics.

What I Hope to Do

After the completion of my education here at Stanford, I hope to assume a role in a family-owned business. Whatever does transpire in my future, and whatever opportunities may arise, I know that Stanford will have provided me with the necessary entrepreneurial, critical thinking and deductive analytical skills to achieve success in any area.

Francisco Olmos, Class of �09

Mechanical Engineering

Why I Chose Stanford

I chose Stanford because I felt it fit my personality almost exactly. From talking to students and graduates, I realized it was a laid back campus that was still full of intellectual discourse. Also knowing that Stanford had one of the best engineering schools in the country put it at the top of my list. People seemed to enjoy what they were studying and many were making breakthrough discoveries with their professors. Plus I didn’t think I could ever leave the California weather.

What I Work On

I am currently very active with SSCLES, the Stanford Society of Chicano and Latino Engineers and Scientists. Through this group I participate in design competitions where we create a proposal for a new invention, and then if we are selected as finalists we receive some funding to create a prototype. Last year we created a prototype of a magnetic blackboard and presented it at a conference in Denver. Besides working on technical projects such as these, I am also in the process of writing and editing an article on the circle and how it has influenced human experience, both physically and psychologically, throughout time.

What's Great About Studying Here

The resources available here are astounding. Professors who are experts in their respective fields are willing to help you with anything, especially if it’s something that you are pursuing that’s out of class work. The library is stocked with almost anything you would ever need, from rare books to a wide variety of DVDs. You can’t really beat the variety of people you meet here, all with their own interesting and unique life stories. This campus is full of the brightest minds and has created an atmosphere where they can really thrive. I feel honored to be a part of this community.

What I Hope to Do

I am still not quite sure what I want to do once I graduate. I am currently considering Law School, and hopefully my summer internship will give me a better idea of what to expect. Since I am so technically inclined, I feel like I would likely go into patent law and deal with new advances in technology. I am also contemplating co-terming here and receiving a Masters in Product Design. The introductory project based classes that I have taken so far have really sparked my interest in the entire product creation process, from initial idea to constant prototyping to finally creating an efficient and aesthetically pleasing working model.

Isabelle Kim, Undergraduate Student

Computer Science

Why I Chose Stanford

When I was applying to college, I was unsure of what I wanted to study. As the home to many excellent departments, Stanford gave me the assurance that whatever I decided that I wanted to do, I would receive a great education. The friendly, open atmosphere of the campus made me feel like my time here would be fun as well as educational. The many opportunities available at Stanford, such as the overseas program, makes it an exciting, broad experience to be here.

What I Work On

I am currently an undergraduate junior in the Computer Science department minoring in Math and French. One of my greatest opportunities here was doing research over the summer in the Human Computer Interaction group. Doing research was a great way to break away from the assignments inherent to large classes where you solve problems that have already been solved.

What's Great About Studying Here

The ease and encouragement of undergraduates to participate in research adds to a complete experience at Stanford. Another great aspect about being here is the people I am surrounded with everyday: from faculty who are always willing to help students, to peers who form a supportive network for everything from academics to activities.

What I Hope to Do

I plan to continue my education by getting a Computer Science MS and possibly a PhD. Eventually, I am considering teaching at either a university or high school level.

Gloria Wong, PhD Student

Materials Science and Engineering

Why I Chose Stanford

I chose Stanford for the multitude of opportunities that would be available to me during my time here and long afterwards. I knew that at Stanford, I would be exposed to research areas that I had never even heard of before. Also, the multidisciplinary nature of my program allows me to work with people from several other departments and to learn about different ways of approaching and thinking about problems.

What I Work On

I am investigating the implementation of new materials for use in advanced semiconductor devices. The push for shrinking device sizes drives the need to replace conventional materials which no longer meet the aggressive standards of the semiconductor industry. By understanding how fabrication processes affect the properties of materials and hence the overall device, we can correctly engineer materials to produce the best possible chips for applications in products such as computers or cell phones.

What's Great About Studying Here

The people at Stanford are creative, motivated and ambitious. Professors that I bump into in the hallway are world-renowned in their fields and speakers that come to talk on campus include prominent scholars, former world leaders, and notable entrepreneurs. Fellow graduate students are from all over the world and are always willing to help brainstorm new ideas and share their knowledge. The facilities that students have access to, such as the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility (which includes a class 100 clean room), allow students to gain hands-on experience with a variety of fabrication and characterization techniques. And of course, on a given sunny afternoon, there's an ultimate Frisbee game to join in on.

What I Hope to Do

I hope to find a challenging position working with vibrant and motivated people.  I would also like to be further involved in mentoring programs, encouraging others to pursue their educational goals.

Rachel Kurtz, PhD Student

Chemical Engineering

Why I Chose Stanford

The chemical engineering department at Stanford University seemed to be the right match for me, due to its close faculty-student interaction and the breadth of topics covered by the faculty members, as well as the department's interdisciplinary approach. As a graduate student in the chemical engineering department, I have also had the opportunity to take several elective courses in different departments, including materials science and engineering, chemistry, and mechanical engineering. I was born profoundly deaf in both ears, and Stanford also offered both the intellectual, collegiate atmosphere and the accommodations that I needed, such as real-time captioning for lectures. Stanford's reputation for academic and research excellence, as well as the beautiful California weather attracted me to study here. The faculty, students, and staff are all warm and welcoming, much like Stanford's Bay Area climate.

What I Work On

My group is focused on complex fluids, and my current projects involve langmuir monolayers of fatty alcohols and polymers on an air/water interface. I have also had the opportunity to perform several x-ray diffraction and reflectivity measurements at the advanced photon source at the argonne national laboratory in Chicago.

What's Great About Studying Here

I love Stanford's open and friendly academic environment, as well as the many extracurricular and leadership opportunities offered here. I have been fortunate to be involved in several different groups at Stanford, including participating as a graduate co-coordinator and graduate peer advisor for the Society of Women Engineers, as a co-treasurer for the Escondido Village Community Associates, and as a Safety Chief for my research group. Stanford offers many opportunities to attend talks by leaders of all disciplines and do research in world-class facilities. My research advisor and Stanford also accommodated the requirements of my fellowship by allowing me to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for a summer internship. My studies here have made me more well-rounded academically, so I was able to apply my chemical engineering knowledge to areas unrelated to my thesis research at LANL.

What I Hope to Do

I hope to secure a position in a challenging and vibrant workplace that will allow me to both do pure scientific research and engineering to solve real-life problems. I also aspire to continue mentoring others, inspiring younger students including women in science and engineering and people with disabilities to reach their goals. I am considering a career in either industry or a national research laboratory.