MatSE graduate students do more than discover materials that marvel. They’re also legends in their community. Just ask Emiliana Cofell and Marilyn Porras-Gomez, recipients of the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 3M Award.

The award is a passion project born out of MatSE’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which was formed in the fall 2020 semester and is chaired by associate professor Cecilia Leal.

“Creating this award was one of the first things I wanted to do,” Leal said. “MatSE has a few awards to recognize excellence in research and teaching, but MatSE students do so much for DEI as well. I wanted their commitment to be celebrated.”

Thanks to the generosity of 3M, MatSE’s DEI Committee was able to make that happen, awarding Cofell and Porras-Gomez $1,000 apiece for leading DEI efforts that address challenges faced by underrepresented groups in science and engineering.

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