NJIT's Award-Winning Grads Reflect on Successes, Share Future Plans
Alongside the wave of excitement at Commencement 2022, NJIT’s College of Science and Liberal Arts recently decorated their star students at its annual awards ceremony.
Here, a diverse group of graduates who shared CSLA’s Outstanding Student Award look back on their NJIT journey and the successes they’ll take with them.
Linda Msinjili, Biology B.S.
Where did you grow up and what led you to NJIT?
I grew up in Tanzania and moved to the U.S. when I was twelve years old. My interest in NJIT came from the fact that it is a renowned STEM institution. I’ve always been interested in biology, and NJIT has a great record of graduates that get accepted into medical schools. That was a key factor in my decision to come to NJIT as a pre-health major.
What research/academic focus were you most involved in leading up to your CSLA Outstanding Student Award?
I’ve been working with Biology Professor Jorge Golowasch, studying the stomatogastric nervous system of the Jonah crab by performing electrophysiological experiments. Properly examining the crab’s anatomy requires total control of fine motor skills, which will be essential for me as I get into medicine.
What’s next?
I’m traveling to Seattle for a fully funded research fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. I also plan on working as an emergency medical technician and volunteer at medical institutions to gain more clinical experience for medical school.
What will you take most from your time at NJIT?
An important life experience I will take from NJIT is the time I spent as the president of NJIT’s African Student Association. Although this put a lot of responsibilities on my plate, it pushed me to develop leadership skills that will help me as I build my career.
Abigail Varughese, Biology B.S. and Science, Technology and Society B.S
Where did you grow up and what led you to NJIT to begin with?
I grew up in Royersford, PA. I chose NJIT because as a pre-med student, I was interested in getting involved in exciting research. With NJIT being an R1 research university, I knew I’d be able to do that here.
What research/academic focus were you most involved in leading up to your CSLA Outstanding Student Award?
I have been able to partake in neurobiology research as well as research in time perception and media use. I believe the diverse experiences I’ve gained will equip me for my future career as a physician!
What’s next?
I will be attending Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia!
What will you take most from your time at NJIT?
I have been able to join many volunteer initiatives serving Newark. I’ve directed a program called Healthy Heroes aimed at teaching Newark elementary school children health lessons, have volunteered at Saint Michael’s Medical Center and at various COVID-19 vaccine sites in Newark. It’s made me more culturally and socially aware, and given me a deeper understanding of hardships and injustices faced in underserved communities.
Suraj Ghumwala, Computer Engineering B.S.
Where did you grow up and what led you to NJIT?
I grew up in Rochelle Park where I experienced great teachers who were devoted to their students and prepared me for entering college. NJIT offered me an education that was affordable and diverse, and it’s exceeded my expectations.
What research/academic focus were you most involved in leading to your CSLA Outstanding Student Award?
I was part of NJIT’s Detachment 490 AFROTC program with a focus on programming and designing computer networks, such as my senior design project with Computer Engineering Professor Marek Sosnowski, which involved building a robot that can survey the terrain of a burning building. The prototype fire-bot uses a camera, sensors and a flexible chassis to potentially help find trapped civilians and reduce risk of firefighters entering an unstable structure.
What’s next?
I am commissioning into the U.S. Space Force, which is a first for the detachment and NJIT. I was fortunate enough to get the position of Space Operations Officer where I will be responsible for overseeing space satellites that our country uses to enhance our communication and tracking abilities.
What will you take most from your time at NJIT?
NJIT has offered many opportunities that made me who I am. A life-changing experience for me was entering the AFROTC Program at NJIT. This program allowed me to build my confidence, instill a sense of purpose and make several lifelong friends along the way.
Noah Roselli, Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics B.S.
Where did you grow up and what led you to NJIT?
I grew up in Nutley and am a third generation Nutley-an. My father went to NJIT, but what led me to NJIT was Instant Decision Day at my high school. I applied and found out then and there that I was admitted, which set the tone for my excitement to enter college.
What research/academic focus were you most involved in leading up to your CSLA Outstanding Student Award?
The research I have conducted for the previous year and a half is in an area of mathematics called dynamical systems. I analyzed a system of differential equations that governed the motion of whirlpools in an idealized fluid with Associate Professor Roy Goodman in the math department, which has applications in areas such as aerospace engineering and weather forecasting. I’ve also had great research opportunities in an REU program at George Mason University last year developing differential equations to model the spread of diseases, and have recently been working on a rewarding project with Dean Louis Hamilton of the Albert Dorman Honors College generating the world’s largest database of Roman street shrines.
What’s next?
I plan to relax this summer before going to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois to pursue my Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics.
What will you take most from your time at NJIT?
When I came to NJIT, I realized how many different people there are in the world and how every single perspective is so important to understand to make decisions. I am thankful to have been educated in such a diverse environment and will take that experience into my professional career.
