International Student Chooses Rutgers-Camden for Graduate Studies in Chemistry

“Rutgers–Camden was always my top choice,” Demir says with a smile while working in a chemistry lab on the Rutgers–Camden campus. “Even while still living in Turkey, I knew very well that Rutgers is one of the best universities in the U.S.”

Demir, from the city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey, was awarded a scholarship last year from the Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of National Education. The prestigious scholarship allows Turkish undergraduates to pursue a master’s degree and doctorate at a university of his or her choosing anywhere in the world.

“I have friends from Turkey studying at Rutgers–New Brunswick, so I’d heard about Rutgers through them while I was still a student in Turkey,” says Demir, who completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Cukurova University in Turkey. “Rutgers was always a place I wanted to be.”

With Rutgers on his mind, Demir reached out to Alexander Samokhvalov, an assistant professor of chemistry at Rutgers–Camden.

“After I had a conversation with Professor Samokhvalov, I knew Rutgers–Camden would be a good fit,” says Demir, who began taking classes at Rutgers–Camden this semester.

Demir is working on a research project that seeks to remove harmful aromatic sulfur compounds present in petroleum and liquid fuel. 

“If we can remove those unwanted compounds selectively and in non-destructive fashion, using advanced materials called Metal Organic Frameworks, MOFs, it will be beneficial both to our health and environment,” Demir says.

“He’s taught me a lot about the uses and the assembly of different instruments required in my experiments,” Demir says.

Samokhvalov says he has been impressed with Demir’s work ethic and accomplishments.

“It’s not easy to adjust to a new environment, especially when taking graduate courses in a new country,” Samokhvalov says. “Muslum has been outstanding. He’s very motivated and hardworking, which is the reputation of all students at Rutgers–Camden, its chemistry department, and the graduate chemistry program."

Samokhvalov says, "I’m making every effort to contribute to the growing strength and international recognition of Rutgers–Camden through my research, teaching and outreach, and by attracting outstanding international students like Muslum to campus.”

Demir is pursuing a career in academia and when he completes his master’s degree and doctorate, he wants to return to Turkey to teach undergraduate chemistry students there.

“I like chemistry so much and after coming here, I realize how important it is to complete your master’s degree and doctorate,” Demir says. “I’ve only been at Rutgers–Camden for a few months, but already I’ve learned so much about performing research and improving my knowledge of chemistry. That’s something I’d like to share with other students.”

He continues, “I would love to serve as a model and encourage other international students to come to Rutgers–Camden to study.”

-30-