The very beginning
Women with a love of science, that’s how Killer Snails came to be. Together, they thought that there had to be a better way to get kids, middle school girls in particular, to connect with science. There was a need for more engaging ways to learn the subject, ways that specifically appealed to young girls and students traditionally underrepresented in STEM. They saw their opening and took it, and Killer Snails began.
Starting with “Assassins of the Sea,” whose main focus was marine biology and, you guessed it, killer snails, they saw great success. This led them to create “Biome Builder” and immersive reality experiences “Scuba Adventures”, “BioDive,” and WaterWays. Through crowdfunding, grants, and community engagement, Killer Snails has raised millions since inception. Now, their fun learning experiences have made their patented, fun learning experiences have made their way into schools nationwide, and Killer Snails is a force in bringing science out of laboratories to help students find the joys of discovery and exploration.
Meet the team
The Killer Snails Co-Founders
Founded by great minds working in science, education, and business, Killer Snails creates imaginative and fun ways to experience science, capturing the excitement and challenges that come with being a real-life scientist. Our award-winning results show how we can change the way students engage in class by utilizing technology and making inventive learning experiences that are accessible for educators and students.
Mandë Holford, PHD
Chief Science Officer of Killer Snails, is a Professor in Chemistry and Biochemistry at Hunter College and CUNY-Graduate Center, with scientific appointments at the American Museum of Natural History and Weill Cornell Medicine. She received several awards including, a 2023 NIH Pioneer Award, an NSF CAREER Award, was elected Champion Young Scientist and 2020 Sustainability Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. Her PhD is from the Rockefeller University.
Mandë Holford, PHD
Chief Science Officer of Killer Snails, is a Professor in Chemistry and Biochemistry at Hunter College and CUNY-Graduate Center, with scientific appointments at the American Museum of Natural History and Weill Cornell Medicine. She received several awards including, a 2023 NIH Pioneer Award, an NSF CAREER Award, was elected Champion Young Scientist and 2020 Sustainability Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. Her PhD is from the Rockefeller University.
Jessica Ochoa Hendrix, MBA
Killer Snails CEO, Jessica Ochoa Hendrix, has worked in youth education since 2003. Awarded the 2019 TED Residency for bringing virtual reality to the classroom, she’s a Principal Investigator for Small Business Innovation Research Grants and was recently named SBA New York 2022 Small Business Person of the Year.
Jessica Ochoa Hendrix, MBA
Killer Snails CEO, Jessica Ochoa Hendrix, has worked in youth education since 2003. Awarded the 2019 TED Residency for bringing virtual reality to the classroom, she’s a Principal Investigator for Small Business Innovation Research Grants and was recently named SBA New York 2022 Small Business Person of the Year.
Our mission is to nurture the next generation of scientists and bring the excitement of laboratory discoveries to learners.
Our partners
