An alumni has returned with her latest HATCH! Rachael of @ScientificallyEngineered, is a HATCH Creative Partner who started with a series of Halloween fountain pen inks and fountain pens with us back in 2024.
These were pairings of Troublemaker Inks and Leonardo pens called the Poison Dart Frog and Jack-O-Lantern; remarkable varying concepts that reflect her interest in nature and nostalgic themes.
But before we dive depeer into her latest creative work, we would like to share a sneak peek into the other side that most of our creative community probably do not yet know about her.
Who is @ScientificallyEngineered?
As a little kid, Rachael wanted to be a storm chaser. While today, she is in fact not a storm chaser, she does continue to strive to make an impact as Dr. Rachael, who enjoys field work and brings her A-game to anything she endeavors to pursue.
Turning up with a smile for the camera and the world, her contributions in Civil and Environmental Engineering as an environmental engineer and researcher are truly outstanding.
Her presentation on "Tiny Particles vs. Global Climate Change" as one of the Top 10 Finalists of the 2023 UC Davis Grad Slam, focuses on humidity and how it impacts an aspect of climate change; which is proving to be relevant today more than ever. She gave clear examples of how we can observe these extreme temperature changes through everyday realities encountered in daily life or even seen while doom scrolling over the internet and put emphasis on how understanding these better are relevant in making policies and other measures to help mitigate climate change.
While inspired to dig further, we found out that, truly, some heroes do not need to wear a cape.
With great passion and dedication to her field and the environment, through her study, Rachael and her co-authors explored, tested, and uncovered that a $50 DIY air filter alternative works just as well, if not better, than an expensive one that can clear out virus particles and wildfire smoke. By proving exactly how well these DIY box-fan filters perform, their group's study was able to share a scientifically proven way to protect a community from Covid-19 and toxic smoke when expensive equipment wasn't available. They tested and presented a simple setup that can trap airborne virus particles, wildfire smoke, and other dangerous pollutants, making indoor air significantly cleaner.
It's both inspiring and life-changing how research works like these can help save lives at the most crucial scenarios like a respiratory pandemic or a crisis.
Taking off her lab coat, on days she is not busy with work, hiking, or a whole new world of discovery, she can be found at home, with her cats, Lotus and Nutmeg, possibly painting or discovering new stationery finds.
Fortunately, this year, we had the amazing chance to do another HATCH project with @ScientificallyEngineered and this time it was all about San Francisco; a truly unforgettable place for so many reasons.
Know More About the Pen and Our HATCH Creative’s Inspiration!
There are many concepts about California, among these, we were enamored with @ScientificallyEngineered’s pitch about the iconic city of San Francisco and the scenes and experiences that you can enjoy around the area. It was a design that draws you in and after diving into the theme further, we realized this is something we should do for the San Francisco Pen Show. There is truly no other place better to launch this particular HATCH.
Through the masterful handiwork of BENU and the depth and layer of whimsy you can explore with Tono&Lims inks, the San Francisco Sunset Fountain Pen Set came to life. Collaborating with @ScientificallyEngineered, @LuxuryBrands, @Tono&Lims was a great experience and reflects what HATCH is truly all about; what each HATCH enables—a platform where IDEAS BRING US TOGETHER.
Launching at the 2026 San Francisco Pen Show stunned us with the warm reception of the community. While the set was limited, we sold-out during the show, and after launching online, it didn’t take long to close the set. All of this would not have been possible without the meaningful concepts from the creative and passionate minds like @ScientificallyEngineered’s and the welcoming and loving community that discovered and supports HATCH. So, as much as we can, we want to make sure you know more about the faces behind each creation.
Without further ado, we hope you enjoy reading our interview with @ScientificallyEngineered below.
Know More About the Pen and Our HATCH Creative’s Inspiration!
Question 1: Welcome back! Since you’re no stranger to HATCH, how does it feel to be back with your latest HATCH?
@ScientificallyEngineered: It feels great to be back! The feeling of designing your own product to be produced is very unique and not easy to obtain!
Question 2: How was your experience with the special onsite release at the San Francisco Pen Show? How was it meeting the people from Luxury Brands of America (who helped us with BENU) and HATCH?
@ScientificallyEngineered: The onsite release was very neat. Kev from Hatch and Bryce from Luxury Brands of America were awesome to meet and made the entire process smooth and exciting.
Question 3: You did a San Francisco-themed hand painted glow in the dark BENU Tribute pen and a shimmering ink with Tono&Lims which are so extra! We thought it was kismet when we saw the proposal. What inspired you to pitch about San Francisco in particular?
@ScientificallyEngineered: I am a huge fan of California in general, but San Francisco is a city that certainly has my heart. It is always such a joy to spend time in the City, and its beauty is unmatched! Thinking about the bridges, architecture, bay and gorgeous ocean sunsets was certainly inspiring.
Question 4: How did it feel seeing both of these (your latest HATCH pen and ink) in person and at the San Francisco Pen Show no less?
@ScientificallyEngineered: It was surreal to see the pen and ink in person, especially at the San Francisco show. I was waiting in line and started to chat with the person next to me in line, and it ended up being @mlreyes326! And funny enough one of the products she mentioned she wanted was the SF Pen Show BENU! It was very serendipitous.
Question 5: How was the rest of your day at the San Francisco Pen Show? What was it like during your visit? And did you get to shop for other amazing finds?
@ScientificallyEngineered: It was great! I got to meet a lot of wonderful people and shop (too much) for myself at other creators' booths!
Question 6: We’ve stalked you on Instagram and seen so many ink swatches, if you can name a few, what are your most favorite inks or current favorite inks you would like to highlight among your collection?
@ScientificallyEngineered: That one is very tricky - I can only tell you my favorites this month, I'm sure it'll change again soon! I've been loving Birmingham Pens Sterling Silver, Sailor Ink Studio 280, and have been on the lookout for a replacement of the discontinued Pilot Iroshizuku Tsutsuji.
Question 7: How do your various creative outlets, especially your deep appreciation for inks, ripple into your day- to-day life and spill over into your work?
@ScientificallyEngineered: I am an environmental engineer by day, and you can trust all my notes are analog and in the ink and pen combo of the week!
Question 8:How did you first find out about HATCH and what specific details about the design got you drawn?
@ScientificallyEngineered: I first came across Hatch when I purchased the entire set of Robert Oster Cozy Comforts designed by MicahFinds. It was such a cool and unique concept that a creator designed the color combos - I was hooked!
Question 9: As a fellow HATCH Creative partner, what advice can you share for those who don’t know about HATCH and/or are curious to send a pitch for HATCH?
@ScientificallyEngineered: Just send it! Make the pen or ink you wish existed. Draw some mockups, describe your inspiration, and submit! You might be surprised!
Question 10:What’s the best way to keep up with you and your work?
@ScientificallyEngineered: @ScientificallyEngineered on every platform :) IG/TikTok/Youtube
Discover More Creations on HATCH!
Easily two of our absolute best finds this year: the HATCH Benu San Francisco Sunset Pen + Tono&Lims Sunset on the Bay Ink by @ScientificallyEngineered. ✨
We can’t wait to see what’s next on Rachael’s horizon! Want to discover more hidden gems? Stop by HATCH to explore and connect with fellow creatives.
Learn more about HATCH right here!
RESOURCES:
Alumni Page of Miller-Schulze Laboratory: Quantifying chemical tracers in the environment at Sac State since 2014. As shared at WordPress.com. https://millerschulzelaboratory.wordpress.com/about/alumni/rachael-dal-porto/
Dal Porto R., et al. (2022); Characterizing the performance of a do-it-yourself (DIY) box fan air filter; Aerosol Science and Technology Journal; https://escholarship.org/content/qt0053f42f/qt0053f42f.pdf
Instagram Page of UC DAVIS GRAD STUDIES (2023); About Rachael Dal Porto. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqatzoju_hn/
Video posted on the YouTube Page of UC Davis Graduate Studies (2023); A presentation by Rachael Dal Porto on Tiny Particles vs. Global Climate Change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GAK-13fAS
Dal Porto, R. (2024); Advancements in Aerosol Research: Evaluation of DIY Low-Cost Air Cleaners, Humidified Aerosol Optical Measurement Methodology, and Absorption Characterization of Urban Aerosols.https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1kq8h1nk
By Some Folks at EndlessPens
