STEM Stories

Dr. Martinez uncovers the hidden stories of the past by studying fossils and ancient life, in this STEM Story, they share how curiosity-and a love for adventure-led to a career in paleontology.

Jordan Patel designs and evaluates roadway systems to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion in urban communities. Growing up in a busy city sparked Jordan’s interest in how cities function and how engineering can improve daily life. Outside of work, Jordan plays recreational soccer and enjoys photography.

​Dr. Samuel Okoye develops wearable health monitoring technologies to help doctors detect diseases earlier. His interest in engineering grew from wanting to combine problem-solving with helping people live healthier lives. Samuel enjoys playing chess, running, and mentoring engineering students.

Dr. Priya Natarajan designs satellite components that help scientists collect data about Earth and space environments. Her curiosity about space started when she watched rocket launches as a child, and she now works on missions that support climate research and communication systems. Priya enjoys yoga, reading science fiction, and volunteering with STEM outreach programs.

Dr. Maya Hernandez studies fossilized ecosystems to understand how ancient species adapted to environmental change. She became interested in science after spending weekends exploring local parks with her grandfather and now mentors students who are curious about earth sciences. Maya enjoys hiking, sketching fossils, and volunteering at community science events.

Alexis Thompson monitors freshwater systems to ensure communities have safe drinking water and healthy ecosystems. Alexis discovered a passion for environmental science during high school after participating in a river clean-up program. She enjoys kayaking, gardening, and teaching children about conservation.

​Marcus Bennett studies animal populations and habitats to support conservation efforts in protected areas. He became interested in biology through outdoor activities like fishing and camping with his family. Marcus enjoys nature photography, hiking, and coaching youth sports.

​Rachel Kim analyzes large datasets to help public health organizations understand disease trends and improve prevention programs. She was drawn to data science because she enjoys finding patterns and using numbers to solve real-world problems. Rachel spends her free time baking, coding personal projects, and traveling.