Graduate Student Spotlight: Andrea Marcano Delgado

Andrea Marcano Delgado has been at MIT for three years, and comes to Cambridge from Puerto Rico, where she grew up and completed her undergraduate studies. A graduate student in Professor Catherine Drennan’s lab, Andrea’s research focuses on unraveling the chemical mechanisms employed by methanogenic archaeal enzymes involved in acetoclastic methanogenesis. By structurally characterizing these enzymes using cryogenic electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography, the researchers aim to gain insights into ancient biochemical processes that gave rise to the metabolic pathways of Earth’s earliest life forms. These insights not only deepen their understanding of fundamental biology but also hold promise for bioengineering applications, such as developing sustainable enzymatic systems for energy production and carbon management.

“Growing up on a tropical island, I was constantly surrounded by nature,” said Andrea. “This early exposure fostered a deep respect for the environment and a commitment to protecting it. My decision to pursue a PhD in chemistry was inspired by a passion for understanding life at the molecular level and a commitment to addressing environmental problems through science.”

As the subject of this Graduate Student Spotlight, Andrea shares more about what’s special about where she grew up, the lineup for her ideal music festival, her top three favorite movies, and more.

1. What are some small things that make your day better?
   Some small things that make my day better are a really good matcha and a genuine “good morning” from someone.
2. If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
   If I didn’t have to sleep, I’d devote most of that extra time to music. I’d focus on composing and experimenting with different styles. Music has always been a core part of who I am.
3. What is special about the place you grew up?
   Puerto Rico is special because it’s full of natural beauty, culture, and amazing people. The music, the food, and the traditions are full of life and energy, and the sense of community is like no other. It’s a place with so much heart, and no matter where I go, it’ll always be home to me.
4. If you were given five million dollars to open a small museum, what kind of museum would you create?
   If I had five million dollars to open a small museum, I’d focus on showcasing discoveries from Mars missions.
5. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
   I could easily give a 40-minute talk on WWE because I was a huge fan when I was a kid.
6. If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what question would you ask?
   I’d want to know how life started on Earth. It’s such a big mystery and figuring it out could tell us so much about where we came from, if life could exist on other planets, and how everything came to be the way it is now.
7. Who would be in the lineup for your ideal music festival?
   I’d have Luis Miguel, Yebba, and RBD to bring back all the nostalgia from my childhood.
8. What irrational fear do you have?
   I have an irrational fear of the dark because it makes me feel vulnerable. It’s the feeling of not knowing what’s around me that gets to me.
9. If you could pick any career other than the one you’ve chosen, what would it be?
   I’d be an actress.
10.  What invention doesn’t get a lot of love, but has greatly improved the world?
    Glasses might get not the credit they deserve, but I’ll never get tired of saying how important they are. They might appear like a simple invention, but it’s truly life-changing.
11.  What food do you crave most often?
    I crave Greek yogurt all the time. It’s creamy and so good with fruit, honey, or granola.
12.  As a child, what did you think would be awesome about being an adult, but isn’t as awesome as you thought it would be?
    As a child, I thought driving would be the coolest thing about being an adult. It’s mostly sitting in traffic, paying for gas, and dealing with parking.
13.  What are you most looking forward to in the next decade?
    In the next decade, I’m looking forward to doing what makes me happy, science and music. I’m also hoping to find someone special to share life with and maybe start a family.
14.  What fictional characters have you had a crush on over the years?
    I had a crush on Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries and Daniel Craig’s James Bond.
15.  What is the most heartwarming thing you’ve ever seen?
    The most heartwarming thing I’ve ever seen was my niece playing with my grandma. They are so cute.
16.  What are your top three favorite movies?
    My top three favorite movies are Interstellar, My Girl, and The Lion King.
17.  Where was the most amazing sunset you have ever seen?
    The most amazing sunset I’ve ever seen was in Rincón, Puerto Rico. The sky was painted with the most stunning shades of orange, pink, and purple.
18.  If you had unlimited funds to build a house that you would live in for the rest of your life, what would the finished house be like?
    I’d have a beautiful sunroom connected to a big library where I could relax and read all day. There would be a dedicated music room and a studio for recording and creating. I’d have a pool and a sauna for unwinding, plus a gym to stay active. The kitchen would be massive because I love cooking.
19.  What is something that a ton of people are obsessed with but you just don’t get the point of?
    Reality TV shows where people just argue all the time.
20.  What is the darkest movie you’ve ever seen?
    The Exorcist, it was traumatizing.