Hi, I’m Sydney.

My life came to an abrupt halt when I became seriously ill and was hospitalized. Recovery taught me resilience, adaptability, and a new definition of progress.

Studying abroad in Barcelona sparked a love of travel and taught me to approach unfamiliar situations with curiosity, openness, and positivity.

I joined the Cellular & Metabolic Engineering Laboratory and discovered how persistence, problem-solving, and curiosity drive scientific discovery.

I joined Longhorn Neurotech and stepped into a leadership role designing and building hardware using Fusion 360, which gave me a new creative outlet.

I moved to Austin and started my journey at The University of Texas at Austin.

My senior year became a whirlwind of debate competitions and academic milestones, including multiple Texas State qualification and Salutatorian recognition.

My first congressional debate tournament unexpectedly qualified me for the Texas State Tournament and sparked a major interest in research, critical thinking, and communication.

I started the debate team at my school and watched it grow into a thriving organization that continues to help students find confidence and community.

I trained for an entire year and ended up placing 3rd overall, proving to myself that consistency matters more than talent.

As class president, I partnered with administration and cafeteria staff to improve the dining experience, expand menu options, and build a student feedback system.

After my cousin’s passing, I realized I wanted to dedicate my life to improving others’ lives through technology and engineering, which ultimately led me toward chemical engineering.

After my sister accidentally killed a pet chicken, I became vegetarian and began teaching myself chemistry through cooking—an early spark that led me to chemical engineering.