My name is Lida Kuthokathan. I am a junior majoring in Chemistry, specifically Biochemistry with a minor in Biofluids Engineering. I graduated from Winter Park High School, not far from UCF. 

At UCF, I had the privilege of taking different classes and meeting many wonderful people. So far, my favorite class here at UCF has been Organic Chemistry I for its rigor and Organic Chemistry Laboratory Techniques I because my lab TA was very encouraging. Not to mention, my hexagons are perfect now. The professors I have meet have shown me that chemistry is a broad field with application in education, medicine, agriculture, and materials.  Interesting courses and supportive people encourage me to continue as my Chemistry classes get challenging.

I got involved with the STEM Ambassador program to promote STEM, a challenge, and to support those interested in taking on that challenge. Through this program I want to show students vast opportunities in STEM, and I want to support and encourage them like others have done for me.

My word of wisdom for future STEM students:

STEM is challenging.

Challenging doesn’t mean impossible.

When I am not drawing hexagons, I enjoy watching movies, playing with my dog, and doing Pilates with my sister.