Lena Chennat

She/Her
Class of 2026
Major:  Bioengineering
Hometown:  Westminster, MD

What inspired you to become a ClarkLEADER?
Meeting the ClarkLEADERS last year and hearing about their experiences and being welcomed by them made me want to join to bring that inclusive environment to the next group of engineering students!

If you attended ClarkLEAD as a first-year student, what did you enjoy most about the event?
I think I enjoyed hearing about other student's experiences working in the industry and their overall experiences with engineering at the Clark School the most.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with new Maryland Engineering students? 
There is going to be a lot you don't know and that's okay! Don't compare yourself to others, everyone is moving at their own pace and you'll be where you need to be in the end!

What are some organizations or extracurricular activities you are involved with on campus?  
I am the Human Practices/Outreach Committee Chairperson for UMD iGem (internationally genetically engineered machine), a club aimed at improving peoples' understanding of synthetic biology while also developing an open community and collaboration between groups through an academic competition. I am on the Flexus/Virtus Programming Board, a living and learning program that promotes diversity, inclusion, and social justice in the field of engineering. I am also a part of the FIRE Student Leadership Council, where I serve as an ambassador to represent the FIRE program and discuss my experience with prospective and incoming FIRE students! (I am in the HPI Stream!)

What is a cool engineering experience you've had? 
I think the coolest engineering experience I've had so far was in ENES100 where I got to work with some of the coolest people to develop and build an OTV that was McQueen themed! (It had a red under-glow too!)