Rowan & Roots

What inspired you to pursue engineering as your major, and why did you choose Rowan University?

As I was an engineering major in high school, I learned that I wanted to continue this in college. I chose chemical engineering because of my interest and enjoyment that I had with taking a materials science course in high school.

I chose Rowan specifically because of all the lab rooms and equipment that fascinated me on my first visit to the college. Being able to envision myself within this environment made me want to enroll here.

What has been your favorite memory or moment so far within the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering?

My favorite experience was attending the AIChE National Conference in Boston. There, I had the opportunity to present my summer research while also getting to connect with other chem-e students across the country. Being able to engage with other people like me helped reinforce my passion for this major. Finally, winning a first-place award in the poster presentation competition made this experience more memorable.

Is there a class, professor, or experience that has shaped your path or helped you find your niche?

The first chemical engineering course I took, Principles Chemical Processes, helped shape my path. Even though I wasn’t performing as well as I wanted to grade-wise, this course further sparked my interest in chemical engineering. It showed me just how much more room I had to grow and gave me some insight into the future topics that I’d encounter in the future.

What’s the most valuable skill you've developed in your program so far?

The most valuable skill I’ve developed in my program is my communication skills. My public speaking professor, Professor Coughlan, always emphasized the importance of strengthening this skill, and being in her class helped me redefine who I am. I’ve become more confident and comfortable in expressing myself, which has made me a more outgoing person.

Can you share a project you’re especially proud of — from Engineering Clinic, coursework, or a personal build?

A personal project that I’m proud of was being able to develop my own machine learning model as part of my Engineering Clinic project. As someone who had no prior experience in any coding software, I originally thought it would be extremely challenging. However, by dedicating time and effort towards learning and understanding the principles of both Python and machine learning, I was able to create a successful model.

I later had the opportunity to present this model and the study done with it at both regional and national conferences, which made all my time spent on it even more rewarding.

Have your academic or career interests changed since your first year? How so?

Originally, I thought that just getting all A’s was the most important thing as a freshman to show how successful I would be. However, I’ve shifted my focus towards fully understanding the concepts that I’m learning in class and how they can be applied to real world scenarios.

Engineering with Impact

How do you see engineering making a difference in the world — and what part of that impact excites you most?

I see engineering as the main way of tackling real world challenges. The wide range of Engineering Clinic projects, not just limited to chemical engineering, shows just how many different areas engineers are working towards improving. No matter the scale of the problem, engineers are always finding new and innovative ways to properly handle them.

What excites me most is the impact those solutions have once a problem is solved. Seeing the collective effort of a team leading to something that can positively affect people’s lives is incredibly awarding.

Are you involved in any student organizations, athletics, research labs, competitions, or campus jobs? How have these shaped your experience?

For the past two years, I have been a member of AIChE and currently serve as the club’s current secretary. Additionally, I am a member of Dr. Kirti Yenkie’s Sustainable Design and Systems Medicine Lab.

These experiences taught me the importance of responsibility and collaboration. Being in an environment where I’m surrounded by driven individuals who are committed to making a meaningful impact with their work motivates me to stay focused and continuously improve. These opportunities have played a key role in shaping me into a well-rounded engineer.

What advice would you give to future Rowan Engineering students who want to get involved, grow, and make an impact?

My main advice would be to step out of your comfort zone. Trying new things in an unfamiliar environment may look and feel intimidating, but those who are willing to take that first step can discover just what they’re capable of. Embracing challenges and being willing to fail along the way not only shows determination but can help build resilience and confidence in taking on future obstacles.

Your Engineer’s Lens

What’s something in everyday life that you look at differently now that you’re studying engineering?

Seeing the sustainability of different items that I use is something I now do because of engineering. I now pay closer attention to materials within these products and how the design and use can affect both efficiency and environmental impact.

If you could design, invent, or improve anything — no limits — what would it be and why?

I would focus on designing optimal wastewater transportation networks. Through my research and clinic project, I’ve learned the consequence of poorly designed systems. Being able to develop networks that are both efficient and reliable would significantly reduce the issues that these systems create, benefiting both communities and the environment

Quick Hits

First engineering-related experience at Rowan (clinic, club, job, or project): FEC Duplo Project

Go-to drink or snack during late-night study sessions: Brisk Iced Tea

One engineering tool, app, or software you rely on most: Jupyter Notebook

Favorite spot to study or hang out on campus: The Fountain Steps of Rowan Hall

One word that describes your engineering mindset: Dedication

“I want to be an engineer because… I want to make a positive impact on the lives of others through the work I do and challenges I overcome."