Karina Popovich (born 2001), a Ukrainian American Cornell University alumnus, is the founder of Inertia, a company that combines STEM and art, primarily in underfunded schools; Alpha, a 3D printed clothing company; and Makers for COVID-19/Makers for Change. As a 19-year-old, she led a global-initiative to 3D-print and distribute tens of thousands of personal protective gear. She was selected as one of 125 women for the Smithsonian's IF/THEN collection of scientists.
At age 19, Popovich founded "Makers for COVID-19", a global coalition of hobbyists and 3D printer owners which printed face shields, face masks, and other protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2][3] It has turned into Makers for Change as the pandemic winds down, focusing students on making a change in their community.[4]
Alpha, Popovich's 3D-printed clothing brand, had a Maker line featuring diverse women in science and technology.[5][6]
Inertia creates popup marketing campaigns combining STEM and art[4] aimed at making STEM for accessible to girls and other marginalized groups.[7]
Popovich is one of 125 women in STEM who were 3D scanned for the IF/THEN Collection at the Smithsonian.[7][3]
Popovich's parents immigrated from Ukraine shortly before she was born.[4]
Popovich is majoring in Applied Economics and Management at the Dyson School of Business at Cornell University.[3][4]