Student Profile: Skylar Ladson-Gary

For junior Skylar Ladson-Gary, Northwestern Engineering has not only helped her develop a strong foundation in chemical engineering, but it has also encouraged her to explore the world beyond engineering.

A member of Professor Michael Jewett’s lab, Ladson-Gary helps develop high-throughput technologies for engineering biology using cell-free systems. She’s also taken her research globally, studying chemical engineering at Seoul National University in South Korea as part of the National Science Foundation International Research Experiences for Students program.

Throughout her time at Northwestern, Ladson-Gary has committed to giving back. She serves as president of Northwestern’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, where she leads the group’s efforts to promote academic and professional success among black engineers. She also volunteered at Peer Health Exchange, where she visited Chicago Public Schools to conduct health and wellness workshops for high school students. “We’re near peers — not as ‘adulty’ as teachers,” she said. “We have honest conversations. It’s very real.”