This is the final entry of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester.
Adriana Ponce Mata spent the last two summers working in one of the largest and oldest companies in the Bay Area. This fall, she joins UC Merced to begin her next chapter. Through Project SEED, she gained hands-on research experience testing fuels in an oil refinery, sparking her passion for science and helping others.
Where I come from: I’m from Richmond, California and graduated from Leadership Public Schools.
What I've done: In high school I participated in both soccer and cross country. As a member of ASB, I would help organize events on campus. I was the co-founder of a community service club that would partner with the Bay Area Rescue Mission to support their events, serve meals and distribute clothes to those in need. In the summer of my junior and senior years I was an intern for Project SEED (Summer Experiences for the Economically Disadvantaged), a nationwide program hosted by the American Chemical Society that pairs students with scientists in laboratories. I was placed at the Chevron refinery in Richmond, where we tested products for chemists. I worked with oil, diesel, gas and jet fuel to test viscosity levels before using them in industrial machinery. It was a full-time job; for nine weeks I was at the lab Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. It was a great opportunity to develop my research skills, and I learned that education is a pathway to make real changes. At the conclusion of the internship, I presented my work to friends, family, mentors and fellow Chevron employees and was awarded the Mark Frishberg Award that honors the late president of the American Chemical Society.
Why are you excited about coming to UC Merced? I’m ready to continue developing my research skills. During Bobcat Day I met some of my professors and everyone seemed so personable. I’m really excited to learn from them. UC Merced was recommended to me by my college counselors and friends, and the peaceful environment seems like a great place to develop into an independent adult.
Academic and personal goals: I plan to major in public health because I want to help people, but I also want to use my courses to explore different career paths. I’m considering focusing more on biology or community outreach and hope to get involved as much as possible on campus. I also want to take advantage of any research opportunities that come my way. Since UC Merced offers a study abroad program, I would love the chance to study in another country and broaden my perspective.
You can keep only three apps on your phone. What are they? I would keep Tik Tok, of course. I would also keep the clock app because I rely on all my alarms to wake up. And probably the messages app.
Favorite Food: Pozole!
It's karaoke night. What’s your go-to song? Something by Adele, for sure. Probably “Someone Like You.” It’s such an emotional song.
Quotable: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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