Laura Synder
Laura Snyder was nominated as a senior marshal, as a representative of the top students in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.
Major: Chemical engineering
Hometown: Dubuque, Iowa
Clubs and activities: Tau Beta Pi, Food Recovery Network, Honors Student Board, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the University Honors Program. Peer mentor for the Honors Program and was also a Destination Iowa State leader. Six semesters conducting research in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and one semester on co-op for a company called Encapsys in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Awards and honors: Top 2% of class every year, graduating in the Honors Program, Griswold Intern for two semesters, and several scholarships: Mike and Jean Steffenson Scholarship, Nicholas L. Reding/Monsanto Engineering Scholarship, Department of Chemical Engineering scholarships, and the Roderick Seward, Flossie Ratcliffe and Helen M. Galloway Foundation Scholarship.
Who was your most influential mentor while at Iowa State?
My most influential mentors at Iowa State have been Hamed Bateni, graduate student in chemical and biological engineering, and Jean-Philippe Tessonnier, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering. They’re extremely kind people who have given me a lot of opportunities to learn and grow as a researcher.
What would you consider your greatest accomplishments at Iowa State?
My greatest accomplishments at Iowa State have been developing the ability and knowledge to tackle complex problems – and running a marathon.
What’s your favorite memory of your time at Iowa State?
My favorite memories at Iowa State are probably the road trips I went on with my friends. We’ve visited Kansas City, St. Louis, Wisconsin Dells and more.
What’s your favorite place on campus?
My favorite place on campus is Barton Hall. It was my freshman year dorm and where I met most of my closest friends.
What’s your advice for first-year Iowa State engineering students?
They should know that it’s ok to not have everything figured out. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do in your career and life, if you put effort into what you do, try different things, and take opportunities as they come, it’ll work out.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love to run, play the piano and do whatever with my friends. My friends and I especially like going out to eat in Ames, going to Des Moines, playing games and going to the farmer’s market.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I have a job working for Honeywell FM&T in Kansas City, Missouri. Honeywell FM&T operates the Kansas City National Security Campus. I had the great privilege of interning there last summer, and I can’t wait to return.