Aguilera Barraza Receives Wendy Breen Kline Award
Caro Aguilera Barraza, E’24, chemical engineering, is the recipient of Northeastern University’s Wendy Breen Kline Award, which is presented to one undergraduate senior who embodies both leadership and volunteer spirit.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I love reading, I’m a big bookworm, and my current favorite book is called “The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea”. I have a big passion for drawing and painting—hence my love for cosmetic science—and love to visit art museums. I know the MFA by heart and can take you to any room, painting, or sculpture because I know that place like the back of my hand! I also enjoy knitting, watching anime, and hanging out with my friends!
What are some examples of your involvement in the Northeastern community and the community at large?
Throughout my time at Northeastern, I have been deeply involved in both the university community and the broader academic sphere. One significant aspect of my engagement has been my extensive involvement in the Biomaterials Design Group, where I have dedicated myself to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting sustainability. Within this group, I have conducted fascinating research on sustainable pigments and innovative ingredients for personal care products.
In addition to my research endeavors, I have also taken on leadership roles and actively engaged in mentoring activities that will help make a positive impact in the STEM community, hoping to get more young careerists involved in the industry. Starting as a research assistant, I have progressed to become an independent researcher and, ultimately, a mentor for fellow undergraduates. This journey reflects my commitment to personal growth and my dedication to supporting the academic and professional development of my peers. This is exemplified by my role as an undergraduate mentor, where I passionately strive to help others succeed and demonstrate my ability to inspire and guide them in their scientific pursuits.
Beyond Northeastern, I have extended my reach to the wider community through initiatives such as the Society of Cosmetic Chemists’ NextGen program, where I proudly serve as a member and volunteer, supporting young careerists in their pursuit of a career in the cosmetic science industry. The NextGen initiative focuses on educating, networking, and mentoring students and early careerists. My role has consisted of helping connect companies with young university students so that they might have more job, co-op and internship opportunities, as well as helping cosmetic science become more available to young people interested in the field. My passion and dedication to empowering others doesn’t stop there, I have also successfully spearheaded two NSF outreach programs, presented at Harvard and MIT at the Cambridge Science Festival, that promote STEM education so that young students, and people interested overall, are encouraged to join science and engineering.
Describe some of your achievements at Northeastern.
During my time at Northeastern University, I have achieved significant milestones that reflect my dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and innovation. One notable accomplishment has been my pioneering research within the Biomaterials Design Group. Through extensive experimentation and collaboration, I have made substantial contributions to the field of sustainable pigments and novel ingredients for personal care products. These efforts have not only garnered recognition within Northeastern but have also been acknowledged on a broader scale, including prestigious awards and scholarships on the national level.
Furthermore, my commitment to innovation and problem-solving is exemplified by my role in developing a new serum delivery mechanism to mitigate single-use capsule waste in consumer goods. This innovative solution has led to patent-pending, and I’m currently finalizing this project to publish a paper on this innovation. My journey researching natural pigments, studying polymer chemistry, and applying it to cosmetic science and engineering have given me numerous awards for my outstanding contributions and discoveries such as winning multiple PEAK research awards and the Provost Research Award. Moreover, my recognitions have extended beyond Northeastern, as I have been awarded by the Society of Cosmetic Chemists the Madam CJ Walker Scholarship, a very competitive, prestigious, and international scholarship, given only to underrepresented minorities in STEM that have made significant contributions to cosmetic science and engineering. Similarly, I presented my research and discoveries in Los Angeles at the SCC’s 76th Annual Showcase. Notably, my research presentation not only received acclaim but also secured a 4th place prize in a competition with more than 20 posters competing against Ph.D. students from all over the country. Having secured both honors, the poster competition and scholarship, distinguished me as the sole recipient of two awards at the entire conference, whose accolades recognize only the brightest and most accomplished people in cosmetic science.
In addition to my research achievements, I have excelled academically, maintaining a stellar 3.91 GPA and consistently earning recognition for my scholastic endeavors. Being on the Dean’s list every semester since my freshman year, receiving the NU Award for high-level academic performance and leadership, and being nominated for esteemed awards such as the Condit Award and Hodgkinson Award highlight my dedication to academic excellence and leadership within the university community.
Moreover, my involvement in extracurricular activities, such as volunteering with the Society of Cosmetic Chemists’ NextGen program and spearheading NSF outreach initiatives, underscores my commitment to serving the community and promoting STEM education.
Of the above examples, which do you consider your most significant achievement and why?
I am deeply proud of every single one of my achievements, but if I had to pinpoint the most significant one to date, it would undoubtedly be the journey of seeing my research evolve into a patent-pending discovery. The reason for this is that this honor is not just about the awards or the recognition, but rather the countless hours of dedication spent, the failures that turned into lessons, and the relentless pursuit of innovation that went into this endeavor, as I was the sole researcher working on this project—besides my PI who guided me throughout this process.
Witnessing my endless curiosity and ideas materialize into something tangible, with the potential to make a real-world impact, fills me with an indescribable sense of accomplishment, joy and purpose. This is the culmination of my professional growth as an engineer and scientist throughout my undergraduate studies at Northeastern, and it’s a testament to my resilience and passion, so I am extremely proud of it. This achievement is more than just a milestone on my academic journey—it’s a symbol of perseverance, creativity, and the endless possibilities that come with daring to dream big and never giving up!
What honors or awards have you received during your time as a student?
I have been on the Dean’s list for every academic semester since my freshman year with a current GPA of 3.91. Furthermore, I’ve been awarded the “NU Award”, which recognizes upperclassmen who demonstrate high-level academic performance and leadership at the university level. I’ve also been nominated for prestigious awards such as the Hodgkinson Award, Condit Award by the chemical engineering awards selection committee. Moreover, for my outstanding scholastic accomplishments, I was invited to become a member of Tau Beta Pi, the largest and most prestigious engineering honor society. Additionally, I have been awarded one of their prestigious scholarships, the Tau Beta Pi Scholarship, that recognizes students that show promise of substantial achievement in the form of educational, research, professional activities that have prepared them for their career. My research has garnered multiple awards, including the PEAK Summit Award, the PEAK Ascent Award, and the Provost Research Award. Beyond Northeastern, I’ve received prestigious recognition like the Madam CJ Walker Scholarship from the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. Presenting my work at the SCC’s 76th Annual Showcase earned me a 4th place prize among PhD competitors nationwide. I have also received a patent pending for my discovery at the Biomaterials Lab.
This story was originally published by Northeastern Alumni Relations