Mackinzie Farnell

2020 Goldwater Scholar

Hometown

Munster, IN

Major

Materials Engineering; Computer Science

College

College of Engineering; College of Science; Honors College

 

Mackinzie Farnell has been awarded a competitive Goldwater Scholarship in recognition of her excellent undergraduate research.

 

Farnell is fascinated by the differing properties of metals and entered Purdue as a materials engineering student. She describes, “Traditionally, metallurgy focused on enhancing metal properties, such as making metals stronger. However, I want to create metals for sustainable applications to decrease human impact on the environment.”

 

During her undergraduate research in the materials engineering lab of Professor Jeffrey Youngblood, working to extrude cellulose nano-fibril films, she gained experience with traditional experimental materials research. Farnell recognized through this work a desire to use computer modeling for materials engineering advancement and added a second major in computer science. She has also worked in the labs of Professor Alejandro Strachan and Assistant Professor Brett M. Savoie.

 

In addition to her lab work, Farnell served as a member of the Purdue Honors College Traditions Committee, and as the treasurer of the Purdue Latin and Ballroom Dance Team.