Mariana Rivas
Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Profile
Profile
I am a Salvadoran native pursuing a PhD in Analytical Chemistry at UC San Diego. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, with a research focus on the intersection of chemistry and environmental health. I have analyzed data from field campaigns, studied aerosol dynamics, and researched plastic alternatives to decrease ocean pollution. Most recently, I worked in the Wilson research group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory studying the diffusion of organic gases into highly viscous aerosol particles using the Aerosol Optical Tweezers. Over the last four years I have also worked on evaluating the integration of green chemistry in general chemistry curricula and its effects on student retention and understanding. In my free time, I enjoy hikes, looking at cute animals, and watching British dramas.