Alumna Mercedes Cornelius (BS ’18 Paul Weiss group) appears in episode of web series, Nerd Girl Nation, which features women in STEM fields.
In the episode about bio-physics, which aired on June 24, 2019, Mercedes discussed her work in bio nanotechnology and organ on a chip, her role models, and her career plans.
“It was an awesome experience to be part of such a great show,” said Mercedes. “I believe in empowering and encouraging youth to pursue the physical sciences. Spread the word, there are spots to be filled for next season!”.
Mercedes recently returned from a year-long research internship in pharmaceutical sciences at Peking University Health Science Center. Prior to that, she was an undergraduate research fellow with nanoscientist Professor Paul Weiss (UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry) and bioengineer Professor Ali Khademhosseini (UCLA Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering and Radiology). Combining these two mentorships, Mercedes studied the microenvironment and metastasis of Ewing Sarcoma on a microfluidic chip device. She also studied the bio markers of the disease, which is a devastating pediatric bone cancer with a high rate of reoccurrence. According to the show’s website, the series features “comedic hosts geeking-out with their guests: young, passionate women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields”. Read more Mercedes and Nerd Girl Nation here.
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penny@chem.ucla.edu.
