Elaine Gomez and Luis Mendez in a chemistry lab, symbolizing their journey through Project SEED.

From Classmates to Lifemates: How Project SEED Ignited a Chemical Reaction for Elaine and Luis

Kai Mendoza in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the inspiring journey of two high school sweethearts who turned a classroom spark into a lifelong passion for chemical engineering, thanks to the transformative power of Project SEED."

When Elaine Gomez and Luis Mendez first crossed paths in their freshman-year physics class at Union City High School, little did they know that their initial academic spark would ignite a lifelong journey into the intricate world of chemistry and chemical engineering.

Their shared passion for science deepened during their sophomore year when their honors chemistry teacher, Nadia Makar, introduced them to the American Chemical Society (ACS) Project SEED program. This initiative aims to provide economically disadvantaged high school students with invaluable summer research experiences, a chance both Elaine and Luis eagerly embraced.

“We both jumped at the opportunity,” recalls Elaine, underscoring the program’s immediate appeal. For Luis, born in Guatemala and having moved to the U.S. at age eight, and Elaine, whose mother hails from Argentina and father from Mexico, the prospect of advancing through education was a deeply cherished aspiration. “Project SEED was this résumé booster, and it was an experience that started to give me confidence that I could perform well in a STEM field,” Elaine reflects, highlighting the program’s profound impact on her self-assurance and career trajectory.

From Summer Research to College Success: Building a Foundation in STEM

Elaine Gomez and Luis Mendez in a chemistry lab, symbolizing their journey through Project SEED.

Elaine and Luis spent their summers immersed in hands-on research. Luis honed his skills in a lab at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), while Elaine explored environmental science at the Meadowlands Environment Center and Montclair State University. These experiences not only solidified their interest in STEM but also equipped them with practical knowledge and confidence.

After high school, the pair continued their academic journey together at NJIT, furthering their research endeavors. Luis secured a Project SEED scholarship, and Elaine earned recognition as a Gates Millennium Scholar. Elaine recalls, “My first semester at NJIT, I was really eager to get into a research job, and having the confidence of having two years of experience already, I just went knocking on professors’ doors. There was a professor, Dr. Robert Barat, who was very impressed with my initiative, and I started working with him. I worked with him all four years I was there.”

Project SEED Scholarship: A scholarship for college.
Gates Millennium Scholarship: A scholarship for students.
Research Experience: Gaining experience in the STEM field.

Meanwhile, Luis dived into chemical engineering research at NJIT and secured an internship at Infineum, enhancing his expertise in additives for oils and gasoline. He credits his early research experience for giving him a confident start in the lab. He later interned at Pfizer, further broadening his industry exposure.

A Lasting Impact: Mentoring the Next Generation of STEM Leaders

Gomez will be joining Mendez at ExxonMobil in April, after she earns her degree. She will be working in the Corporate Strategic Research division. 'We would not be where we are today without our Project SEED experiences,' she says. 'It fundamentally changed our lives for the better. It shaped my identity of who I am, and it shaped his. We are so thankful.' 'It feels really good to know where we've been and have an idea of where we're going,' Mendez says. “We are constantly seeking opportunities to mentor others.' In fact, for the past two summers, Gomez has served as a Project SEED mentor at Columbia University. 'I remember my experience and how much of an impact it had on me, and now it's going to have that impact on someone else,” she says.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1021/cen-09645-acsnews, Alternate LINK

Title: Project Seed Scholars Elaine Gomez And Luis Mendez

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: C&EN Global Enterprise

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Authors: Linda Wang

Published: 2018-11-12

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is Project SEED, and whom does it aim to serve?

Project SEED is an American Chemical Society (ACS) program that provides economically disadvantaged high school students with summer research experiences. It aims to give these students invaluable opportunities in STEM, boosting their confidence and providing a foundation for future success in fields like chemistry and chemical engineering. The program offers hands-on research, allowing students to gain practical knowledge and a feel for STEM careers. Students can also receive scholarships to further their college education.

How did Elaine Gomez and Luis Mendez specifically benefit from their involvement in Project SEED during high school?

Elaine Gomez and Luis Mendez participated in Project SEED during their high school years. Elaine conducted research at the Meadowlands Environment Center and Montclair State University, while Luis worked in a lab at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). These experiences solidified their interest in STEM and provided them with practical knowledge and confidence. Furthermore, Luis received a Project SEED scholarship, and Elaine was recognized as a Gates Millennium Scholar, supporting their college education at NJIT.

In what ways did the Project SEED experiences influence Elaine's and Luis's college experiences and early career paths?

Elaine attributes Project SEED to providing her with the confidence to seek research opportunities early in her college career at NJIT. She secured a research position with Dr. Robert Barat, with whom she worked for four years. Luis credits his early research experience from Project SEED for giving him a confident start in the lab, leading to internships at Infineum and Pfizer. The experiences provided a foundation for their future success in chemical engineering.

Besides Project SEED, what other forms of support, such as the Gates Millennium Scholarship, are available to students pursuing STEM fields, and what impact can these have?

The Gates Millennium Scholarship is a scholarship for students, recognizing Elaine's potential and achievements. While the specifics of the scholarship aren't detailed here, it is implied the scholarship provided financial assistance to Elaine in support of her pursuit of higher education. Other scholarships or similar programs can provide financial aid, mentorship, and other resources, ensuring that talented students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed. This scholarship may have criteria relating to academic merit, financial need, leadership skills, and commitment to community service.

Beyond personal career advancement, how are Elaine Gomez and Luis Mendez now contributing to the STEM community, particularly through Project SEED?

Elaine Gomez is currently a Project SEED mentor at Columbia University. This role allows her to give back to the program that significantly impacted her life, offering guidance and support to the next generation of STEM students. Mentoring provides an opportunity to share experiences, insights, and encouragement, helping younger students navigate their own paths in STEM and build confidence in their abilities. Mentors often help with college applications, networking, and career planning.