Hi y'all! This is Alaina!I'm a sophomore studying Materials Science Engineering with a focus in Energy and Aerospace at Stanford. Around campus, I'm the Director of Engagement for ASES (Stanford's largest entrepreneurship organization), a researcher in Professor Yi Cui's battery lab, and I helped organize both TreeHacks and the ASES Summit. I'm also the Director of Potential Member Outreach and Social Chair for my sorority, Alpha Phi. Coming from Boston, Stanford wasn't just a school to me — it was a chance to be surrounded by people building things that actually matter, and that's exactly what I found here. On your tour, I'm excited to share not just the facts, but my inside scoop — the best spots on campus, hidden gems, and what Stanford is really like as a student. I want you to experience the same feeling that made me fall in love with Stanford!

Hometown

Boston, MA

Major(s)

Material Science Engineerings

Minor(s)

Aerospace

Clubs, organizations & involvement

ASES – Engagement Director ASES Summit - Director of Sponsorship TreeHacks – Organizing Team (Sponsorship) Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy – SUPER Fellow Stanford Energy Club Stanford Climate Week – Director of Finance FashionX SWITE – VP of Events Alpha Phi Yi Cui Lab – Battery Research Intern

Describe your college experience

Overall amazing, but of course there were some hurdles along the way. Coming into Stanford, I didn't know exactly where I'd fit in, but getting involved early changed everything. Between organizing TreeHacks, working as Engagement Director for ASES, and doing battery research in the Yi Cui Lab, I found my people fast — the entrepreneurs, the researchers, the builders. Being part of Alpha Phi added a whole other layer of community I didn't expect to love as much as I do. Stanford has this way of making a huge campus feel small once you find your circles, and I've found mine in more places than I ever imagined.

Tip for future students

Say yes to the random opportunities, even the ones that feel out of your depth at first. I said yes to sponsorship for TreeHacks not really knowing what I was doing, and that one decision opened doors to ASES, to research opportunities, to people I now consider family. You don't need to have it all figured out — you just need to show up and start. Also: find one thing that's just for you, no resume-building required. For me that's been Stanford Climate Week and FashionX — passions, not résumé lines.

Favorite class

Hard to pick just one, but a class that really stuck with me was MATSCI 3030, the one connected to my work at the Precourt Institute for Energy — being a SUPER Fellow and getting to dive into real energy systems research alongside professors who are genuinely at the forefront of the field made the material feel alive instead of theoretical. It's the kind of class where you leave lecture actually excited to keep thinking about the problem.

Career goals

I'm studying Materials Science Engineering with a focus in Aerospace, and I want to work at the intersection of energy research and building things that actually scale — whether that's through battery technology, climate solutions, or bringing a startup idea to life. Being part of ASES has shown me how much I love the entrepreneurial side of things, so long-term, I could see myself either leading energy innovation at a company or building something of my own.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Honestly, catching up with my Alpha Phi sisters, grabbing food with friends, or getting pulled into a spontaneous late-night conversation about some new startup idea. Stanford has this energy where even a "free night" turns into something memorable!

High school or secondary school

I went to a boarding school in Rhode Island.

Favorite spot on campus

My favorite spot on campus is Coupa Cafè in front of green library. It's a great spot to grab smoothie, catch up with friends and just yap!