In May 2025, Rory Mata graduated from Wichita State with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish
and another in chemistry. She also earned a Spanish for the Professions undergraduate
certificate. Mata fully explored professional pathways in both fields during her internships.
She explored a career as a chemistry researcher at NASA in Kansas and as a Spanish
translator at Exploration Place, through an internship funded by Wichita State’s Applied
Learning Fund.
Mata’s interest in science and Spanish appeared throughout her participation in various
student organizations. She was involved in science organizations such as Club Nova
– Wichita State’s astronomy club, WSU American Chemical Society Student Chapter, First
Year Research Experience and Iota Sigma Pi – Honor Society of Women in Chemistry.
She was also involved in Sigma Delta Pi – Spanish Honor Society.
Mata’s previous work endeavors also highlight her work ethic and passion, especially
in chemistry. From her sophomore to senior year, she tutored students as a supplemental
instruction leader for General Chemistry I and II along with Organic Chemistry. In
the summer before her senior year, Mata was a General Chemistry II teaching assistant,
assisting in curriculum development, lab procedures and safety regulations.
Her leadership in chemistry was recognized three times by Wichita State’s Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the American Chemical Society Student Chapter. As
a junior, she was awarded the Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry and the Outstanding
Junior in Chemistry Award. In the following year, she was awarded the Outstanding
Senior in Chemistry Award.
When an opportunity to work for NASA in Kansas arose, she took it. During her junior
and senior year, she began a research project with the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry. With the resources of NASA in Kansas and the Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry, Mata and Associate Professors Doug English and Katie Mitchell-Koch
began their computational study of reactions of sulfur compounds possibly occurring
on Jupiter's moon Europa.
Through funding from the Applied Learning Fund, Mata enhanced her Spanish through
her internship at Exploration Place. In her final semester, she worked with the Modern
and Classical Languages and Literatures Department to translate marketing materials
for Exploration Place. Her work directly impacted the museum’s accessibility to Spanish-speaking
families.
“These experiences gave me the opportunity to combine my passions for science and
language and to work directly with a community organization for the first time in
this way,” Mata said.
From these experiences, Mata explored career paths in both science and language industries.
Her various accomplishments across both subjects have prepared her for her journey
in higher education.
This fall, Mata will begin working towards her Ph.D. in chemistry at the University
of Missouri. There, she’ll concentrate in physical chemistry and astrochemistry. Under
the guidance of Assistant Professor Bernadette Broderick, Ph.D., Mata will be part
of the Broderick Group, collaborating with other graduate students on astrochemistry
research, taking her passion to the stars and beyond.
Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience
with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.
For more information, contact theShocker Career Acceleratorat (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visitwichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita
State campus.
