Meet Chemical Engineering Student Anas Ani   

“Rutgers is filled with opportunities tailored to various interests and I wanted to attend a large, diverse school.” –Anas Ani 

Anas Ani has translated his classroom experiences as double major in chemical engineering and chemistry into real-life applications through summer research projects with Benjamin Schuster, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (CBE), Rutgers College of Arts and Science chemistry and chemical biology professor Charles Dismukes, and at the University of Pennsylvania Children’s Hospital. After graduating, he will be working as a chemical engineer with the oral formulation sciences department at Merck. He hopes to attend medical school in 2025. 

Why Rutgers? 

Family plays an essential role in my life and remaining close to home was a priority for me. Both my brothers who attended Rutgers visited home regularly. Their success – one is an MD, and the other is in dental school – reaffirmed my decision and reflects Rutgers’ caliber. 

Why chemical engineering? 

Growing up, I was a STEM-focused student and desired a major that was at the interface of chemistry, biology, and physics. I wanted to do something different than my brothers who majored in chemistry, but chemistry related.  

As I progressed at Rutgers, chemical engineering seemed to be large-scale chemistry, so to learn on a more atomic level, I decided to double major in chemistry – a choice that has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. The two majors complement each other and have helped me develop a unique thought process. 

What surprised you about Rutgers? 

Given how large a school it is, I didn’t know what to expect and was concerned about how I could fit in and leave my mark. I was surprised by how simple it was to make new friends, experience new cultures, and make meaningful connections.  

I was also surprised by the genuine care many of the professors showed and their investment in student success. This large school became a small world to me facilitated by those around me. 

What about extracurriculars? 

During my time at Rutgers, I became a resident assistant, a learning assistant, and president of the Rutgers Chemistry Society. I also participated in different basketball and soccer intramural teams and even won a few championships. These activities allowed me to develop socially, personally, and professionally – and to pick up transferable skills along the way. 

What will you miss most about Rutgers? 

I’ll miss the small interactions I often have with people – whether it’s chatting with classmates and professors at Coffee with the Professors, or conversations with friends, passers-by and faculty members. 

What is your favorite memory from your time at Rutgers? 

This is a difficult question for me, but the first thing that comes to mind is participating in Cardboard Canoe during National Engineers Week for three years in a row. Unfortunately, my teammate and I never made it across the pool but we gained more experience each year. Even though we didn’t succeed, participating with friends and having fun while doing some engineering is ultimately the true success for me. 

Do you have any advice for new students? 

Be kind. Smile. Don’t be afraid to talk to those around you – whether classmates, staff, or professors. You can always learn something new. Multi-tasking is a myth: focus on doing one thing at a time and doing it well, whether you’re studying or having fun. 

What three words describe your SoE experience? 

Rewarding. Catalytic. Enlightening.