黑料社区

April 20, 2026

Ellen van Wijngaarden is a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering from Toronto, Canada. She earned her bachelor’s degree at York University in Canada and now studies the design of materials that respond to their environments under the guidance of Meredith Silberstein and Ilana Brito at Cornell.

What is your area of research and why is it important?

My research combines engineering and biology to design futuristic materials that can respond to their environment. Most of the materials that we encounter in our daily lives are nonresponsive. I combine living cells with common metals and plastics to achieve materials that can change shape, filter toxins, detect cracks, and even mitigate damage. These kinds of materials will help us build safer, longer lasting infrastructure while minimizing material waste and providing a healthier environment.

What are the larger implications of this research?

This research in living materials will help create safer infrastructure through damage monitoring and self-healing. These kinds of materials also minimize waste by increasing the durability and lifespan of parts while enabling us to get more out of the materials that we use. My work moves us toward materials that are alive and responsive, pushing us away from passive and wasteful systems toward sustainable and regenerative material design.

You were named first place winner in the 2026 Three Minute Thesis competition. Can you describe the process of condensing your research into a three-minute presentation?

I first thought a lot about what my most exciting research highlight was that I wanted to share. It was incredibly hard to leave out work that took many hours and indescribable effort. With the topic in mind, I outlined and drafted the motivation, method, result, and impact, while trying to minimize any jargon and incorporate a bit of humor. After being selected as a finalist, I received concrete feedback from the preliminary judging on how to improve my presentation as well as personalized coaching from the amazing Three Minute Thesis team. My presentation drastically improved with this feedback along with countless run-throughs in front of the mirror and pretty much anyone who would listen to me. 

How will you take what you’ve learned from participating in the 3MT and use it in future academic and professional contexts?

Scientific communication is as important as science itself. The 3MT competition highlights the need for experts to communicate what we do to the public and people outside of our fields. Building these skills will help me form meaningful interdisciplinary collaborations in my future career and increase the impact of my work. Effective communication will ensure that my work and the materials that I design will go beyond a laboratory setting, making it out into the world to positively impact society.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of your research or scholarship?

I鈥檓 an avid runner. I find that my best ideas come to me when I鈥檓 out on a trail, and I focus most effectively as I move. My 3MT presentation was refined over the course of many miles! Aside from running, I enjoy relaxing with a good cup of coffee and getting lost in a book, often reading to practice a new language. This makes it easier when I travel to explore new places and enjoy time with friends and family around the world.

Why did you choose Cornell to pursue your degree?

I chose Cornell for its top-tier engineering program and research reputation along with its medium size which makes it easy to meet interesting people yet build a close community. Cornell’s mechanical engineering program enabled me to rotate in labs and find amazing mentors that have motivated me to also pursue a career in academia. Cornell鈥檚 numerous extracurriculars, gorgeous waterfalls, and delicious ice cream are a winning grad school combination and have greatly enriched my time in Ithaca.