Alison Fajardo | Student Spotlight

Alison Fajardo

BS Candidate
Chemical Engineering

"As a first-generation college student, using my time at Stanford to pursue my passions has been one of the greatest privileges I’ve had. My family is from the Amazon region in Ecuador, an area deeply affected by deforestation and oil extraction. Because this rainforest is one of the world’s largest carbon sinks, protecting and restoring it is crucial for mitigating global climate change. Last year, rivers ran completely dry, leading to widespread power outages. Now that stories like these are common across the globe, it highlights the need for active work for environmental restoration. When I came to Stanford, I knew I was passionate about sustainability, but I was unsure about how to apply my interests into tangible action. With a love for problem-solving and applied science, I chose chemical engineering due to its versatility and strong foundation for developing novel technologies across many fields.

My favorite memories at Stanford include going to AIChE or departmental events, where I colored in coloring books while I munched on SomiSomi or attended faculty lunches to meet professors and hear about their career journey. I will also miss Dr. Kat’s homemade sweets we’d be surprised with after class. Outside of the department, Alternative Spring Break has been incredibly meaningful. Through the program, I volunteered in New Orleans and learned more about how climate change already affects communities in the US. There, I witnessed first-hand how creatively locals banded together to support one another in times of need.

I’ve also enjoyed my time doing research in Dr. Brophy’s lab, where I work at the interface of plant-microbiome engineering to develop microbial solutions that help crops grow in extreme environments. After graduation, I will be starting my PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University. There, I hope to continue developing synthetic biology tools that address sustainability challenges. As I grow as a scientist, I want my work to be grounded in community impact, and I am especially interested in exploring environmental policy that connects scientific innovation with real-world implementation."