Meet the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) Division of Life Sciences Class of 2022!
The Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences Class of 2022 is large, diverse, and talented. Some 5,119 students graduated this week, nearly half of whom maintained GPAs eligible for graduate honors. The graduates hailed from 21 countries besides the United States and 33 states in addition to New Jersey. The seniors profiled below represent a small fraction of the graduates, but reflect the excellence, drive, and concern for the greater good that characterizes the entire class.
Congratulations Class of 2022!
(left to right: Gloria Abbas-Zadeh, Ashley Ozioma Anele, and Michael Rangel)
Gloria Abbas-Zadeh
Hometown: Monroe, NJ
Major: Double major in Cell Biology & Neuroscience and French
Plans: I am taking my MCAT in September and planning for medical school while continuing to work in the Rutgers lab of Victoria Abraira.
Memorable Rutgers Experience: Speaking at convocation was so exciting! In addition, I studied abroad my first year, and I don’t think I would have majored in French if hadn’t done that.
Role of SAS: Because the school is so broad, I had frequent opportunities to meet people who are in a different field than mine but are very passionate about what they are doing. It’s these differences that help us learn more about ourselves.
What I will miss most about Rutgers: My friends. And all the seemingly small things like going to the dining hall, taking the bus, walking into the library and seeing all the students studying.
Ashley Ozioma Anele
Hometown: Union, NJ
Major: Cell biology and neuroscience with a minor in psychology
Plans: I plan on going to nursing school. I hope to be a nurse practitioner in the psychiatric field.
Memorable Rutgers Experience: My time serving in the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) was very important to me because we advocated for students’ wellbeing. Some of my biggest, beautiful memories were getting water fountains in dorms, wheelchair ramps for students with disabilities, and hosting many blood drives.
Role of SAS: It’s very easy to find clubs and like-minded people because the school is so large. You have such a wide variety of things, and that helped me navigate and join these organizations that I have become part of.
What I’ll miss most about Rutgers: The people. Being a part of the RHA and the NRHH helped me meet some amazing people that I am going to always miss.
Michael Rangel
Hometown: Piscataway, NJ
Major: Double major in cell biology & neuroscience and political science
Plans: Medical school – Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Memorable Rutgers Experience: During my last semester, I had the opportunity to defend my cell biology and neuroscience honors thesis. After two-and-a-half years of intensive lung cancer research at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, it felt so fulfilling to see my hard work come to fruition through this final departmental project. For excellence in my thesis work, I was honored to receive a Henry Rutgers Scholar award.
Role of SAS: From a very young age, I knew I wanted to become a physician. SAS not only helped solidify my love of neuroscience as my future field, but the school also granted me the ability to study political science and expose me to the implications of legal policy in the field of healthcare.
What I’ll miss most about Rutgers: MidKnight Breakfasts and Honors College Coffeehouses are just a couple that stand out. I will definitely miss the constant community here on the banks. From day one, it has been so easy to surround myself with peers and individuals who share similar goals and mindsets as me. Together, we have helped each other grow and reach heights we could’ve never possibly imagined!
To read all the SAS senior profiles, click here: https://go.rutgers.edu/5fepl6wh
