Denise Ebony Dantzler | Student Spotlight

Denise Ebony Dantzler

Master's Candidate

"Reflecting on my journey, I’ve seen how each formative chapter of my life—engineer, attorney, athlete, scientist, entrepreneur—has come together, and Stanford has been the perfect place to make it happen."

My path to Stanford has been anything but conventional. Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, I nurtured an early love for science through geology, biology, and chemistry, pursuing this passion as a chemistry major at MidAmerica Nazarene University, alongside being a dual-sport athlete. After graduating, I realized I wanted to explore challenges beyond the lab, leading me to the University of Kansas School of Law—where I became the first woman of color to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy—and ultimately to patent law.

As a patent attorney, I strengthened patent portfolios for global leaders in advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. While I understood the science behind the technology, however, I realized that there was a clear opportunity for me to strengthen my understanding of the engineering principles driving these real-world solutions. To bridge these gaps and gain foundational knowledge, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) in view of its interdisciplinary nature, leading me to Stanford.

Stanford’s MSE curriculum has transformed the way I think about technology. Particularly, classes like, Professor Appel’s Organic and Biological Materials course, have equipped me the tools to connect my chemistry background with the engineering principles I once struggled to understand. Alongside my studies, I reconnected with soccer after a seven-year hiatus and embraced a newfound passion for outreach. As MRS Outreach Co-Chair, I’ve shared the excitement of materials science with K-12 students— from demonstrating material failures with liquid nitrogen to illustrating photolithography using sun print paper and UV light. Moments like these have been among my most memorable at Stanford.

I’ll end my last two quarters of my degree as a Threshold Ventures Fellow, exploring venture capital and entrepreneurship alongside master’s students from across Stanford. So far, I’ve gained insight into the interplay between deep-tech, intellectual property, and venture capital in the startup industry. I’m also exploring this space as a product consultant at a startup based in New York, helping design AI-powered tools that streamline IP workflows. Reflecting on my journey, I’ve seen how each formative chapter of my life—engineer, attorney, athlete, scientist, entrepreneur—has come together, and Stanford has been the perfect place to make it happen.