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 the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visit wichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita State campus.
Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo