The first-generation, immigrant UCR graduate looks to inspire future students while studying for her Ph.D. at Stanford

Maggy Harake, top student in the CEE 2020 graduating class, may be newly graduated but she is already making a name for herself during her graduate studies in chemical engineering at Stanford University this fall. As an undergraduate student, Maggy was notably active on the UCR campus, volunteering in several on-campus leadership positions, including Bourns College of Engineering student representative, university advancement ambassador, and a UCR Undergraduate Education student engagement ambassador.

Maggy excelled as an undergraduate researcher in Prof. Jinyong Liu’s research lab, where she was awarded the Chancellor’s Research Fellow for her work on chemical degradation of PFAS in aqueous film-forming foam. She also won a UCR mini-grant allowing her to present her work at the American Chemical Society Fall 2019 national meeting in San Diego, CA.

Continuing her research career as a first-year Ph.D. student at Stanford, she is exploring areas of research focusing on electrochemical processes, catalysis, and water purification. In conjunction with her doctoral studies, Maggy will continue her engagement with the scientific community by actively mentoring undergraduate and high school students, focusing on the success of first-generation college students, like herself. Upon completion, she looks to pursue a career as a researcher in the national laboratories, maintaining her focus on emerging issues concerning water resources and quality.

Overall, Maggy looks to share her story as a first-generation immigrant woman in STEM to inspire and enable other students to pursue their dreams. Email Maggy (mharake@stanford.edu) or connect with her on LinkedIn.